Digestive complaints are among the most common health concerns. If you’re experiencing distress, an integrative practitioner will evaluate the foods and substances you are eating to identify where a reaction exists. There are many ways to conduct a dietary analysis, including food diary, food allergy testing, muscle testing, and elimination diets. The FODMAP Diet is…
Holistic Approaches to Irritable Bowel Syndrome
When the smooth rhythm of the muscles of the digestive tract is disrupted, either moving too quickly or too slowly, we experience digestive distress. For some of us, this distress can be frequent and painful, creating a major disruption in our life and in our lifestyle. Several health conditions are marked by severe…
Heal Thy Gut with Marshmallow Root
There’s much more to that sweet, fluffy treat we enjoy melted in a s’more or sprinkled atop hot cocoa. Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) is an ancient herb whose Greek name, Althainean, means “to heal.” HEALING PROPERTIES OF MARSHMALLOW ROOT Ancient Greek and Egyptian healers used Marshmallow flowers and leaves in salads to support healthy…
Probiotics: Manage Food Allergies and Enhance Immunity
Listen to your gut. And make sure to protect it. A balanced gastrointestinal system plays a critical role in defending your body against illness. An imbalance in gastrointestinal (GI) flora can create health issues and is typically the result of poor diet, stress, use of antibiotics, illness and food allergies. Balance your GI flora…
Trace Minerals: Essential to a Healthy Body
From the hair on your head to the bones that support you and the blood that runs through you, your body relies on minerals for optimal health. A CLOSER LOOK AT MINERALS Minerals are broken into two categories: macrominerals and trace minerals. Since the body cannot make minerals, we must get them from food…
H2O: Elixir of Health and Vitality
Water. We can’t live without it. Literally. It comprises about 70% of adult body weight and even more for infants and children. WATER FOR HEALTH AND VITALITY Essential to every cell in the body, water helps to . . . • maintain normal temperature through sweating and respiration • regulate thirst and appetite…
Why You Should Support Your Body With Magnesium
Recognized for its role in bone structure and proper function of nerves and muscles, magnesium has a multi-faceted role in disease prevention and health promotion. It is necessary for almost every chemical reaction that takes place in the body! WHAT CAN MAGNESIUM DO FOR YOU? Calm your body by helping blood vessels dilate, which…
Using the Low FODMAP Diet To Manage IBS Symptoms
Have you ever thought about using the low FODMAP diet to manage IBS symptoms? Digestive distress is your body’s signal that there’s an imbalance in your digestive system. In many cases, chronic digestive issues are actually quite common. The symptoms may range from everyday “irritations” to full-blown debilitation. And they often include symptoms such as gas, bloating,…
A Lesson On Pooping You Were Never Taught
Beyond learning to “go on the toilet” when nature calls, most never receive a lesson on pooping. However, knowing how to poop (yes, there is a skill involved) is a really important concept for health. Admittedly, bathroom-related language might stimulate discomfort in some individuals, but using the word “poop” lightens things up. If you’re seeking social…
Get to Know Herbs & Spices: Rose Hips For Wellness
There’s nothing like a rose to stimulate feelings of wellbeing. And nothing quite like rose hip – the actual fruit of a rose – to enhance health and promote wellness. Why Use Rose Hip? Of all the roses, the beautiful Wild Dog Rose is the type most often cultivated for their hips. Once the flower…