Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. These diseases cause chronic inflammation and weakness of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD is different than irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which does not involve intestinal inflammation or damage. Now research reports that skin cancer may be linked to medications used to treat IBD. The study, presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's 74th Annual Scientific meeting in San Diego, investigated the association of IBD...Read More
Gastrointestinal (GI) Health
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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. These diseases cause chronic inflammation and weakness of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD is different than irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which does not involve intestinal inflammation or damage. Now research reports that skin cancer may be linked to medications used to treat IBD. The study, presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's 74th Annual Scientific meeting in San Diego, investigated the association of IBD...Read More
A study from the New York Methodist Hospital was published this May that investigated the effects of a daily fiber supplement for elderly individuals suffering from constipation and chronic laxative use.Read More
Probiotics such as Lactobacillus are beneficial bacteria found in the intestinal flora. Probiotics are known to support GI (gastrointestinal) health and immunity. Now research reports that various probiotic strains are associated with reducing diarrhea. The most common causes of diarrhea include food intolerance (such as lactose intolerance), certain medications, bacteria, parasites, and intestinal and bowel disorders. The review, published in Current Opinion in Gastroenterology, investigated probiotic use in preventing and treating diarrhea. Researchers at the...Read More
The human appendix is a slimy sac that hangs from the cecum of the large intestine. The function of the appendix has long been debated. Charles Darwiin first theorized that the appendix was a useless, vestigial organ. The appendix is best known for appendicitis, an infection of the appendix that can be fatal if not treated. Now research reports that the appendix may not be a worthless evolutionary artifact. The study, published in the Journal...Read More
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a parasite that causes the intestinal disease toxoplasmosis. T gondii is a common parasite that infects over one billion people globally. Toxoplasmosis is transmitted through contaminated food, water, soil and cat feces. Now research reports that probiotics may help prevent and treat parasite infections. Probiotics such as acidophilus and bacillus are beneficial bacteria found in the intestinal flora. Probiotics are known to support GI (gastrointestinal) health and immunity. The study,...Read More
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (November 2004 80(5):1358-1365) shows that high calcium intake from supplements reduces the risk of cancer of the distal colon and rectum.Read More
Previous studies suggest that increased fiber intake is linked with lower levels of CRP (C-reactive protein). CRP is an amino acid that, when elevated in the blood, is a biomarker for inflammation. Inflammation is associated with many chronic conditions including heart disease, GI problems (including hemorrhoids and irritable bowel syndrome), obesity, and aging. Now a review of seven clinical trials found that all trials except one study of psyllium fiber were associated with lowering CRP...Read More
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the effect of fish oil plus antioxidants compared with placebo was conducted in 62 patients with Crohn's disease.Read More
A study published in JAMA in May investigated the risk of Celiac disease autoimmunity and in particular examined the effect of timing of introduction of gluten had on risk of disease.Read More
Researchers at the Israel Medical School wanted to test the effects that probiotics have at preventing adult infectious diarrhea. Read More
Plasma vitamin B6, or pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), is critical for DNA synthesis and methylation, factors which may be involved in the development of cancer. Now, for the first time, research reports that supplementation with vitamin B6 may reduce the risk of colon cancer.Read More
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (January 5, 2005 293(1):86-89) showed that higher dietary intake of magnesium is associated with lower risk of colon cancer in women.Read More
A study published in the March issue of Gastroenterology investigated the effects of the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium on patients with IBS.Read More
The Center for Functional Nutrition in Chicago published a study measuring the effects of supplementation with probiotics, fiber, and L-Glutamine on diarrhea in HIV positive patient who were taking HAART and had a history of chronic diarrhea.Read More
A recent study, published in the International Journal of Cancer (2004, vol 112, issue 2), found that high intakes of carotenoids and vitamin A by nonsmokers and nondrinkers on a sensible diet, significantly reduced the risk of adenomatous polyp recurrence.Read More
The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2004, vol 96, issue 22), found that a high level of selenium in the blood is linked to a reduced risk of colorectal cancer.Read More
A study published in the British Journal of Surgery in March measured the effects of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on serum markers of bone turnover and actual bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and hip.Read More
Best known for keeping bones strong, calcium is the body's most abundant mineral. Calcium is now also being studied for its role in colon cancer prevention.Read More
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition this year looked at supplementing zinc in children with shigellosis, a form of gastroenteritis caused by the organism Shigella flexneri.Read More
A recent study completed in Japan was aimed at determining the effects of AGE on colorectal adenomas (polyps).Read More
