Clostridium difficile (c.diff) bacteria is the cause of up to 500,000 intestinal infections each year. It is also one of the leading antibiotic resistant infections we face. To make matters worse, it can often be hard to get rid of and has a very high recurrence rate. Over 15,000 people per year die from ,…
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Judging Supplement Quality
How does one tell a quality supplement from one of poor quality? Well, without testing you really can’t. This is why we have to depend on third party testing. A no-name supplement may be perfectly fine, but you really can’t just take their word for it. Often companies rely on their suppliers in-house testing, and…
IBS – A Lazy Diagnosis
People with chronic gut issues often seek the advice of their family doctor. They can then be referred to a gastroenterologist (also known as a GI Doctor). We have high hopes they’re going to do something about our problem; after all they can’t say we’re making this up as the symptoms are obvious (diarrhea and/or…
Hair Loss / Gut Axis – It Is All Too Real
It is well known that SIBO and IBS can cause hair loss. Just Google “SIBO hair loss”, you’ll find lots of references. Histamine intolerance (or MCAS) can also cause hair loss (this is often related to SIBO). But “why” do these conditions cause hair loss? Knowing why is important as the treatments may temporarily worsen…
Carbohydrate Malabsorption – A Root Cause
Sometimes the medical world and the internet meme world converge. One example of that is how certain diagnoses can go in and out of style. The one I’m going to talk about today is one I think should not go out of style, one that I think is far more prevalent than people think. That…
Can SIBO Be Dangerous?
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) isn’t simply inconvenient, it may actually be dangerous. Studies show that bad bacteria in the small intestine can lead to problems with the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas (all connect to the small intestine, so that makes sense). Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) can even lead to pancreatic cancer! It can…
Intermittent Fasting – Gut Health Benefits
Have you been wondering what diet works best for long term gut health? You should consider Intermittent Fasting, The Gut Health Protocol way.
Red Meat Isn’t The Problem
It’s The Lack Of Soluble Fiber. For years you’ve been hearing of “the dangers of red meat”, that it causes everything from heart disease to cancer. That it ferments (or “rots”) in our gut, makes the gut acidic, etc. However, several new studies show that red meat isn’t a problem after all.
Gut Bacteria and Body Weight
Gut bacteria has a huge impact on human body weight and our ability to gain or lose weight. How we’re effected varies depending on our microbiome balance, the levels of beneficial bacteria, genetics, hormone levels, vitamin and mineral levels, etc.
Gut Survival Over The Holidays
’tis the season for mirth and merriment! I hope this holiday season is enjoyed by all and that everyone remains safe and healthy! What follows are a few tips on holiday gut survival.
Gut Health and Parkinson’s Disease Strongly Correlated
Several studies over the past 3-4 years have strongly linked gut health to the risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease. The latest study from October 2018 shows that people who have had their appendix removed had a 20% lower risk of contracting Parkinson’s Disease. Other research clearly shows this risk comes from bacteria located throughout the…
Repairing The Gut Through Prebiotics
The Gut Health Protocol discusses the topic of repairing the gut in Chapter 2, after the “kill” phase. This chapter shouldn’t be just for someone repairing their gut, but for anyone wanting to strengthen their microbiome. The human microbiome is a very important part of overall health, immune health, and even cancer prevention. Here I…
Are Soil Based (SBO / HSO) Probiotics Good For Us?
There is a lot of misinformation out there on soil based probiotics (SBOs). Mostly scare tactics to either boost ratings for their website / blog, or sell their own, non-SBO, probiotic. Can SBO’s be dangerous? Yes… but so can water, bread yeast, peanuts, even oxygen can be dangerous if used inappropriately. The truth is SBOs,…
The Importance of Butyrate and Fiber for Brain Health
In a study out of the University of Illinois – Urbana they found that butyrate reduces inflammation in the brain. Inflammation in the brain is associated with various disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. Low butyrate levels are also associated with intestinal inflammation.
Do Probiotics and Fermented Foods Worsen SIBO?
One of the most common questions I get from people is if it is OK to take probiotics, or consume fermented foods, while they have SIBO. After all SIBO is a “bacterial overgrowth” and adding fermented foods will add bacteria. Some people have even had their doctor tell them SIBO is often an overgrowth of…
Sugar Malabsorption – Food For Opportunistic Bacteria
Humans lose much of their ability to break down certain sugars as we mature into adults or experience intestinal infections. Many people malabsorb lactose and fructose, to some degree we all probably do. This unabsorbed sugar becomes food for opportunistic bacteria.
Do Phages Cause Antibiotic Resistance?
I’ve had several questions about studies showing that phages can transfer antibiotic resistance. So is this true. You might be surprised by the answer.
Lactic Acidosis – Fatigued, Confused, Grumpy? This might be why.
Many people with gut issues suffer from cogitative issues and body-wide symptoms, along with the gastrointestinal hell they’re going through. One of the reasons is often high levels of D-lactic acid.
Antibiotic Resistance Is Real – What You Can Do
Yesterday a 45 year old friend of ours passed away. I hate to say it but I think gut bacteria, antibiotic resistance, and our medical system probably led to her death. This is why it matters to all of us.
An Easy Way To Help Your Microbiome – Trash Triclosan
Here is one of the easiest ways to help your microbiome and your gut. Throw away everything in your home that contains Triclosan or Triclocarban. Don’t use antibacterial soaps when away from home, as they too may contain these chemicals. Simple isn’t it? Oh, you want to know how and why? Good, you really need to…
Paleo Diets Fight Inflammation
According to recent research studies a Paleo diet can reduce inflammation, heal intestinal inflammation, and help prevent heart disease by increasing Interlukin-10. Other studies on both humans and mice show just how important this anti-inflammatory cytokine can be.
High Heavy Metal Levels Often Due To A Dysfunctional Microbiome
Do you think your body might be high in mercury, chromium, cadmium, lead, or arsenic? Are you wanting to detoxify and get rid of these heavy metals? Probiotics and strengthening your gut’s microbiota may be the answer.
What is SIBO and What Can Be Done About It?
Of course “The Gut Health Protocol” covers SIBO in-depth. But sometimes people just want to know “what is SIBO”. So you can now download the first 4 pages of Chapter 5, “Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth”. This covers the basics and gives you a feel for the book. The remainder of Chapter 5 provides more depth,…