Articles - Immunecare NZ | Natural Products for the Immune System and Digestive System

Tackling Long Covid

Long-COVID-19 (LC) is a complex and often debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. With over 200 different symptoms impacting multiple organ systems, Long-COVID-19 presents a significant challenge to patients and health practitioners alike.

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Gallbladder deep dive

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Discover your personal heavy metal burden

Hair Toxic and Essential Element Analysis

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Discovering your personal heavy metals burden

Hair Toxic and Essential Element Analysis

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Gallbladder problems?

Are you digesting fats well?
Do you get inexplicable headaches?
Are your bowel movements normal?
Do you ever feel nauseous or uncomfortably full after meals?
The GB sits at the back of the liver - collects bile and the liver’s eliminations.
• The GB is integral to maintaining the correct gastrointestinal pH right through to the
colon (especially the small intestine).
• Gallstones (GS) occur when there is too much cholesterol or bilirubin, and not
enough bile salts.Have you been diagnosed with SIBO?

Do any of these statements hit home for you? If so, your gallbladder and bile production may be in need of support. Read on to learn more!

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Chronic Fatigue and Long Covid key strategies

Here you will learn about some of the therapies that you can employ to systemically regain health, by resolving the Cell Danger Response (CDR) discussed in the August newsletter. Some of these may offer significant improvement to individuals with both Chronic Fatigue Syndromes and Covid spike protein injuries such as Long Covid and vaccine injury. Many of these therapies were developed from regenerative medicine techniques designed specifically to restore non-healing tissue, and tissue that loses its function.

I often come across patients who have tried therapies that work for a short while, but then no longer, or even make them feel worse. It is thus critical to recognize that while many therapeutic approaches can improve symptoms resulting from the CDR, it is critical to determine if the therapy you are currently undergoing moves you more into health, or makes you feel worse. You will also learn how to avoid some of these pitfalls that could stall your recovery.

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How to restore healing sleep

More than 1 in 4 adults in New Zealand suffer from chronic insomnia. Since insomnia is one of our population's most common medical issues, I would like to share some top tips that really work. They essentially fall into two categories:

•Sleep Aids

•Sleep Hygiene

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Could this be the answer to post viral and Long Covid fatigue?

When a cell comes under significant stress, it can move into a Cell Danger Response (CDR). Systemic inflammation responses place significant stress on cells trapped in the CDR. As a result, much of what has been seen with the spike protein injuries (from the vaccine or Long Covid) mirrors what has been seen in other complex disorders like Lyme disease and post viral syndromes.

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The Secret Seven

Seven evidence based metabolic natural interventions to reduce your cancer risk.
If I said to you that there were three very simple and inexpensive things that you could do to reduce your cancer risk by 60%, would you be interested?

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Therapeutic Products Bill – object to keep your natural health products safe!

Therapeutic Products Bill - object to keep your natural health products safe! If this Bill passes, we will lose access to thousands of beneficial health supplements and herbals for good.

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Auto-immune diseases – is leaky gut the missing link?

The intestinal surface is exposed to diverse antigens, including food antigens, food-borne pathogens, and commensal microbes. Intestinal epithelial cells have developed unique barrier functions that prevent potentially hostile antigens from crossing into the body. Disruption of the epithelial barrier increases intestinal permeability, resulting in Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS), which in turn can cause a number of autoimmune conditions.

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Antihistamines – do they have a downside?

Spring is in the air, and so is the pollen. Allergies affect 30-40% of the population in New Zealand. Many of us will be taking antihistamines, some of us every day for a few months. Others take them for allergic conditions such as urticaria or food allergies. How do antihistamines work, and do they have a downside?

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Multiple allergies? – this could be the reason why

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome - could this be causing your allergies?

What is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome?

Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) causes a person to have repeated severe allergy symptoms affecting several body systems. In MCAS, mast cells mistakenly release too many chemical agents, resulting in symptoms in the skin, gastrointestinal tract, heart, respiratory, and neurologic systems.

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The surprise predictors for Long Covid – not what you thought!

While SARS-CoV-2 is usually thought of as an acute disease, we now know that some people who have had acute COVID experience a variety of post-acute health problems long after their disease onset. This experience of long-term persistent symptoms has been termed “long COVID”, and those who suffer from it "long haulers". Acute COVID typically lasts 3 weeks, but long COVID can last weeks or months. Studies have reported widely varying prevalence levels of long COVID.

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Long Covid – what it isand what can you do about it

The number of people in New Zealand that have recovered from Covid-19 is now well over one million. Thus, any long-term consequences in COVID-19 survivors could not only have a huge impact on people’s lives, but also on public health and on healthcare services in the coming months and years.

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6 Simple Steps to Manage Stress

Stress can manifest in many different ways - from emotional suffering to physical symptoms like back or stomach pain. The body is designed to withstand small amounts of stress. When faced with a stressful event, your body releases specific hormones like cortisol that activate a range of physiological symptoms. You’ve likely experienced this rush of adrenaline after a near-miss in the car. The key is that after the stressful event passes, the body calms down and relaxes. With chronic stress, there is no downtime. Assuming you can’t simply walk away from whatever is impacting you, these natural options can help you find simple yet effective solutions to keep you healthy and able to adapt to difficult challenges in your life.

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What is in our Covid Preparedness kit

People have been asking what we have in our Covid preparedness kit, so we thought that it might be useful to share what we have in our personal kit at home.

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Oxalates – what are they and why are they bad?

Oxalic acid or oxalates are very tiny molecules that bind minerals like calcium and form crystals. It is found in a variety of seeds, nuts and many vegetables. It’s only two carbons and four oxygen molecules. It’s a highly reactive compound that is attracted to positively charged minerals.

Oxalates not only can cause kidney stones (calcium oxalate kidney stones) but also may be responsible for a wide variety of other health problems related to inflammation, auto-immunity, mitochondrial dysfunction, mineral balance, connective tissue integrity, urinary tract issues and poor gut function.

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Does the gut hold the key to brain development and health?

A field of growing scientific interest
The microbiota–gut–brain axis and the potential to support cognition and brain health

Does the gut hold the key to brain development and health?

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Antacids – what are the side effects? If you are taking PPI’s then you need to read this

PPI's are drugs with complications. Should you be taking them?

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What Gum disease has to do with your gut bacteria

Dental hygienists are some of the only preventive specialists who are in the position to discuss patients’ oral health in conjunction with other overarching health issues. In addition to oral and systemic health, gut health is one of the most important topics that they should be broaching with you their patients.

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Lactoferrin and cancer

'Lactoferrin is a molecule able to both prevent and treat cancer'

This is the remarkable conclusion of a peer reviewed paper published in Biomolecules Journal in 2020 'Lactoferrin’s Anti-Cancer Properties: Safety, Selectivity, and Wide Range of Action'.

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Gut bugs found to aid in cancer fight

Recent intriguing evidence from several human clinical trials has suggested that the composition and diversity of the gut microbiome influences response to cancer immunotherapy.

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Is Carbonated water bad for your gut?

There are a few factors you need to keep in mind when buying sparkling or soda water for yourself or your family. While many wellness products and trends are stylish, satisfying, or downright innovative, some wellness advice is less than helpful to spread around. Case in point? The idea that carbonated water is bad for you simply because it's a bit more exciting to drink.

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Gut Bacteria and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Several studies showed that both prebiotic and probiotic use has an effect on the induction of remission in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients. In general, gut bacteria take a critical role in the development of IBD through the regulation of inflammation in the gut.

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Consultations

A limited number of Zoom consultations are now available with Dr. Neil Wootten or his wife Olli Ricken.

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Food Intolerances -are you affected? How to find out, and what to do about it.

As many as 20% of the population are affected by food intolerances on a daily basis. Are you or a family member one of them? Here we look at the main food intolerances, the symptoms and what you can do about them if you are affected. Knowledge is power, so read on!

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12 Top Tips to reduce stress and sleep better

People have been living in a storm of stress during the ongoing pandemic, which has had a negative impact on our well-being.

A little bit of stress is good, and essential for survival, but severe or prolonged stress can increase the risk for stress-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer amongst others.

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IBS, gluten intolerance – or Histamine Intolerance?

If you have been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), then you may realise it is a bit of a non diagnosis, usually accompanied by the words "go away and live with it". What it really means is that the usual tests have not shown up anything physiologically obvious or sinister. The medical profession usually leave it there, and it is up to the patient to look further into it if they wish. Once you do that, there is an array of possible causes of IBS - bacterial dysbiosis of the gut; candida overgrowth in the gut; SIBO - small intestinal bacterial overgrowth; food intolerances (which I looked at two weeks ago in my Newsletter); histamine intolerance ; and medicines that cause IBS.

Today I am going to take a closer look at histamine intolerance, which has a history of being under diagnosed, and may be the reason your IBS or Gluten Intolerance does not go away.

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5 simple things you can do to protect yourself and optimise your immunity today

These five simple steps can boost your immunity and protect you against viruses.

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6 Top Tips to boost immunity for the big return to work and school

We've all been looking forward to this, but workers are feeling wary about going back on to public transport and into offices. What causes stress is lack of control, but we can take some control over our health and immunity before returning to work. Here are 6 simple ways you can do that.

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The Psychological effects of Lockdown

COVID-19 social isolation measures have had a profound impact on the psychological and mental well-being of individuals across society. Many of the anticipated consequences of isolation measures are themselves key risk factors for mental health issues including suicide, self-harm, substance misuse, and domestic and child abuse.

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COVID-19: Why Are Young Children and Infants Not Severely Affected?

Many theories have been postulated to explain this remarkable difference in the pediatric and adult population with COVID-19. Here are some of the main theories.

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Testing – Hope or hype?

Some governments are putting all their bets on testing to help reopen their economies. This is why they are going to be disappointed.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called them a ‘game changer’. Antibody tests have captured the world’s attention for their potential to help life return to normal by revealing who has been exposed, and might now be immune, to the new coronavirus.

So why are tests not the game changer that many people think they are? Are they Hope or Hype?

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The 6 underlying health conditions that greatly increase your chances of getting Covid-19.

As the number of cases of coronavirus continues to rise, especially in Europe now, what has become clear is how many of the patients to die from the virus have underlying health conditions that make them susceptible to catching it, and make the prognosis worse.

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Diversity – good or bad?

Diversity is much in the news these days in a political sense, and today I would like to explore wider senses of the word that impact on all of us every day.

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Overcoming Chronic Fatigue easily – 4 Case studies

Real Life Stories - Four people describe how they contracted Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and more importantly, how they triumphed over it.

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60% of people diagnosed with IBS have this disease instead

Those of you who have had telephone consultations with the Helpline Team here at Immunecare may have heard us talking about SIBO - Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth as an alternative diagnosis for some cases of IBS. As a Company we have recognised this for the past 15 years, and it is now coming more to the forefront. Unfortunately, most GPs have never heard of it. I have even spoken to private Functional Doctors (those that are Medically trained and qualified, but have an Holistic philosophy on treatments.

This is the story of a SIBO sufferer:

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Measles outbreak – to vaccinate or not?

This is sensible advice from Paediatrician Paul Thomas M.D.

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How to help your Gut stay in balance after antibiotics

The days when antibiotics were doled out like Smarties for every cough and sniffle are long gone. Overall, prescription rates for antibiotics have dropped dramatically in the last few years as doctors try and combat the rising problem of antimicrobial resistance.Last week, researchers warned that antibiotics may actually harm children who take them. Scientists at the University of Oxford and Public Health England found that preschoolers who take antibiotics for coughs and colds are more likely to get ill in the future.

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5 surprisingly easy lifestyle changes to instantly improve your gut flora and health

Gut Health is the buzzword of our times. While the science is still in its infancy, we're increasingly becoming aware of just how important our gut microbiome, the community of microorganisms – bacteria, fungi, yeasts, protozoa – that live within the digestive tracts, is. From IBS to allergies and obesity to heart disease, the gut plays a role in all manner of conditions.

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A new approach to oral hygiene

Gum disease is common and unpleasant, but, according to a growing body of evidence, it could also play a role in a surprising range of seemingly unrelated health problems.

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3 simple changes you can make to improve your gut health immediately

Unfortunately, we are seeing an increasing number of people with serious health problems, and many of these disorders stem from intestinal issues. While every case is different, there are three easy basic things you can do to improve the health of your gut.

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Three mistakes to avoid if you want to get rid of Candida overgrowth.

Over the past 18 years, we have helped over twenty thousand people with candida problems. Some of them have had a candida issue for most of their lives, most for several years. They have nearly all tried to tackle Candida overgrowth before, but failed.
Here are three simple reasons why people fail when they tackle Candida overgrowth.

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Helicobacter pylori – are antibiotics the right way to treat it?

Helicobacter pylori infects 24% of Kiwis and Aussies, causes 95% of stomach ulcers, and is a major cause of stomach cancer. Currently it is treat by 'Triple therapy', two antibiotics and a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI). But is there a better way?

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Antibiotic Resistance – the biggest killer in 2050?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts that infections by antibiotic resistant bacteria will be the biggest single killer by 2050.

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Just how dirty are YOUR bedsheets?

We are all guilty of putting off washing our bed sheets a little longer than we should - but just how long is too long when it comes to changing our linen?

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10 Symptoms you should NEVER ignore

No-one likes to consult a doctor unnecessarily, but there are times when you should always seek medical advice.
It's always better to be seen than dismiss the signs and delay an important diagnosis until the condition has become worse – or it's even too late to treat.

Here are ten symptoms that should get you making that appointment with the doctor.

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Why a low FODMAP diet may be the answer to your IBS

One study found that low-FODMAP diets reduced symptom severity in 76 percent of patients with IBS compared to a 54 percent reduction in a group receiving standard dietary advice. Bloating, flatulence, and abdominal pain were all reduced on the low-FODMAP diet.

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You only have a few more genes than a lowly Nematode worm!

Fun fact: Before the Human Genome Project, expert scientists expected humans to have 125,000 genes. In actual fact, we have 25,500, which is only 1500 more than a lowly nematode worm.

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Revolutionary Probiotic Cleaners

Revolutionary Probiotic Cleaners

Here at Immunecare, we love things that are revolutionary, simple and effective. After all, it is how we got started, by formulating a simple effective answer to Candida overgrowth. When I explained the concept behind Candigest Plus to a Pharmacist at a trade expo, he shouted out 'That's brilliant'!

I had the exactly the same response when I discovered Probiotic Cleaners.

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The health risks of deodorants and antiperspirants

A current point of controversy is underarm deodorants and their link to health problems.
What sort of toxic chemicals do lurk in antiperspirants and deodorants?

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What Causes Constipation in Babies?

Change in diet. For babies, this could mean the introduction of solids, which can be very disruptive to their digestive system. Common foods that cause constipation in babies include bananas, applesauce, baby cereal, yogurt, cheese, cooked carrots, pasta, and white bread.

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The Western Diet Really is a Killer – it is Official

The typical Western diet, high in fat and sugar, really does lead to an early grave, new research suggests.

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The Vaginal Microflora

Although less complex than the gastrointestinal microflora, the normal vaginal microflora of the premenopausal woman is composed of a variety of bacterial species.

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The Science Behind Alcolim

Clinical studies have revealed that one of the main reasons for excessive alcohol intake by some people is rooted in a profound imbalanced functioning of their cerebral cortex. In particular, the frontal cortex is directly associated with our ability to control behaviour and actions.

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The Five Gut Types

Read through the following list to see if any of the gut types seem similar to your individual health status. Do you see yourself in any of these descriptions?

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Sweeteners

With the ever-increasing attention on sugar in the American diet, it is common to want to replace its sweet taste with a sugar substitute, and there are quite a few to choose from. They appear in a variety of food products, from beverages to baked goods, and are available for home use.

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Super Boost Your Immune System in just Three Days

When you are looking at boosting your immune function quickly, it makes sense to supplement your body with the actual immune factors that it uses to fight infections.

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Should Seeds Be Eaten?

Until recently, many doctors suggested avoiding foods with small seeds because it was believed that particles could lodge in the diverticula and cause inflammation.

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Sean’s Story

Sean Rogers, 30, suffered from IBS for many years: like so many sufferers, he put this down to stress. In the summer of 2003, after a particularly stressful time at work and home, Sean’s once manageable IBS escalated into the more serious and debilitating Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

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Peptic Ulcers

Repeated use of a certain class of drugs for gastric reflux or peptic ulcers was linked with a higher risk for dementia among patients in Germany, researchers say.

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Peptic Ulcer

New studies have found that levels of the bacterium are up to three times higher in people with COPD.

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One Simple Step for Younger Looking Skin – EGF

Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) in skin care activates the body's natural healing power to the degree that many call this remarkable peptide a natural “beauty factor”.

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Microbial Numbers and the Intestinal Ecosystem

The 25-35 foot long GI tract of an adult human is estimated to harbour about 100 trillion viable bacteria. This is approximately 10 times the total number of cells in the human body. These live bacteria account for around 2 lbs of a body’s weight and are known as intestinal or gut flora.

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12 Reasons why you should take Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits to the host when ingested in adequate amounts. The strains most frequently used as probiotics include Lactobacillus bacteria and Bifidobacteria. Without these vital health benefits that probiotics confer, our health as humans would be substantially worse.

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Lactoferrin and the Immune System

Fortunately New Zealand and Australia have two excellent home grown products to boost immune function and help keep you healthy.

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Lactoferrin and Bacteria

Lactoferrin has long been recognized for its antimicrobial properties, initially attributed primarily to iron sequestration. It has since become apparent that interaction between the host and bacteria is modulated by a complex series of interactions between lactoferrin and bacteria, lactoferrin and bacterial products, and lactoferrin and host cells.

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Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria

Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are Gram-positive lactic acid-producing bacteria that constitute a major part of the normal intestinal microflora in animals and humans. These friendly bacteria play a key role in enhancing resistance to colonisation by exogenous, potentially pathogenic organisms.

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Irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis treatment and prevention

Treatment of diverticulitis involves consuming a high-fiber diet to minimize symptoms, along with taking painkillers to reduce pain.

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Intestinal Microflora in the Newborn Infant

Fetuses are sterile in the womb, but beginning with the birth process, infants are exposed to microbes that originate from the mother and the surrounding environment including breast milk or formula. The infant tends to acquire the flora swallowed from the vaginal fluid at the time of delivery. Because vaginal flora and intestinal flora are similar, an infant’s flora may closely mimic the intestinal flora of the mother.

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Increase Fluid and Fiber

Anyone with diverticulitis who increases their fiber intake under this diverticulitis diet plan, should drink at least 1.5 liters (3 pints) daily.

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IBS and Menopause

When Does Perimenopause Usually Start and End?

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How to alleviate Constipation

Chronic constipation is an all-too-common problem rarely discussed in polite company and only reluctantly mentioned to doctors during checkups.

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How do Probiotics Work?

Probiotics must be ingested regularly for any health promoting properties to persist. It is possible to manipulate the composition of the intestinal microflora in adults through dietary supplementation with probiotics. This concept is gaining popularity throughout the world.

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How do I relieve my Baby’s Constipation?

If you’re concerned that your baby may be constipated, look out for these helpful tips to give her some relief.

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How can I tell if my Baby is Constipated?

If you’re concerned that your baby may be constipated, just look at her poop. “The most important factor in determining constipation in an infant is the consistency of her poop,”

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High Fiber Diet for Diverticular Disease

This diverticulitis diet is a high fiber diet for managing diverticulosis, and for reducing effects of diverticulitis.

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Heartburn and GERD

Many people have heartburn every now and again after eating a large meal, and will be familiar with the unpleasant burning feeling in their chest, just behind their breastbone.

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Health Warnings Written on Your Face

Everyone knows a lucky so-and-so who hates the gym, eats junk food and drinks wine every night, yet somehow maintains an enviably tiny and firm figure.

But some experts are warning that, in fact, there really is no such thing as a free lunch — because regardless of what your body looks like, your face will tell the truth about your bad habits.

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Gluten Sensitivity – is it all just FODMAPS?

An Australian study published last year found that it may not be gluten causing gut problems in people with supposed sensitivities.

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Effects of Probiotics on the Intestinal Microflora

Probiotics modulate the composition of the intestinal microflora. The survival of ingested probiotics in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract differs between strains.

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Early Surgery Common for Uncomplicated Diverticulitis

Elective colon resection is often performed after fewer than three previous episodes of uncomplicated diverticulitis, according to research published online Feb. 10 in JAMA Surgery.

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Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea can be of sudden onset and lasting for less than four weeks (acute) or persistent (chronic). This leaflet deals with acute diarrhoea, which is common. In most cases, diarrhoea eases and goes within several days but sometimes takes longer. The main risk is lack of fluid in the body (dehydration). The main treatment is to have lots to drink, which aims to avoid dehydration. You should also eat as normally as possible.

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Custom Probiotics CP-1: A Highly Effective Probiotic Supplement

Probiotics play a key role in human nutrition and health in balancing the intestinal microflora naturally. Probiotics have been used therapeutically to support immunity, improve digestive processes, support healthy cholesterol levels, treat rheumatoid arthritis, support cancer patients, improve lactose intolerance, and reduce the effects of atopic dermatitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, IBS, diarrhoea, constipation as well as Candida and urinary tract infections.

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CRAMPS, jabbing pains and bloating are all different types of stomach pain but what do they mean?

A health website has revealed the answers. It can be difficult to know what is causing your tummy troubles but if you are experiencing problems it's not something you should ignore.

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Celiac Guide

Celiac disease, sometimes also termed Celiac sprue or Gluten enteropathy, is a genetically influenced condition that results from eating gluten.

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Candida Symptoms

Candida is controversial. The medical profession denies its existence, except in very limited cases, making it very difficult to get a medical diagnosis of candida. Candida is the popular term for candidiasis (yeast overgrowth) - a condition first identified by American physicians in the 1970s.

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Candida Success

Shelley is 30, she has had candida for 10 years, diagnosed for four years.
She works as an administrator for a dance charity.

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Balancing the Intestinal Ecosystem

The condition and function of the gastrointestinal tract is essential to our well being. After the respiratory tract, the GI tract constitutes the second largest body surface area, comparable in surface area to a tennis court. During a normal lifetime, about 60 tons of food will pass through this canal.

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Antiviral Properties of Lactoferrin

Scientific Review on Antiviral properties of milk proteins and peptides

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Antacids – Storing Up Trouble?

Recent research suggests that antacids, which are the world’s most popular drugs, can double the risk of pneumonia.

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7 reasons why you’re bloated

...and how to fix it so it never happens again.

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5 Common Misconceptions about Cancer

You probably hear a lot of conflicting information about cancer. There seem to be so many opinions about what causes it, who is at highest risk, and how you can beat it.

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