So many people use these two words very loosely, but there is a fundamental difference between an allergy and an intolerance. So here’s what you need to know about them. Food Allergies: Food allergies can create a specific immediate antigen-antibody response. This means that certain food molecules are perceived by the body to be invaders and the body responds by producing antibodies (also known as immunoglobulins) to fight the intruders. In the case of allergies, these antibodies are IgE antibodies that stimulate certain cells to release histamine, an inflammatory compound. In some cases, an allergic reaction can be life-threatening, like the anaphylactic choking reaction to eating peanuts in people allergic to peanuts. Other food allergy symptoms can include swelling of the eyes...
Most of us are very aware of what we eat, but have you ever stopped to think about how you eat? The way you eat can have a huge impact on your digestion and eating properly is something that should be practiced and perfected. Unfortunately, many of us gobble down our food in front of the TV or at our desk, or with our phone in one hand and a fork in the other. But it’s time to change those habits.
Gut health has been the centre of heated debates in the last few years, and for good reason! Not only have studies found that a healthy gut is essential to a healthy body, but new research suggests that gut health can in fact impact almost every other aspect of your human health. The connection is so clear that I’m going to go as far as saying that if you can change your gut, you can change your life! But how can you identify that that your gut bacteria is out of whack, and more importantly, what can you do to improve it? Well. you’ve come to the right place because I’ve got all you need to know! What is gut...
Prebiotics, by definition, are a type of non-digestible fiber compound that act as food for probiotics. Basically, probiotics eat prebiotics! Just like other high-fiber foods, prebiotic compounds pass through the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract and remain undigested, because the human body can’t fully break them down. Once the pass through the small intestine, they reach the colon where they are fermented by the gut microflora and turned into a great food source for probiotics. In particular, prebiotics result in the growth of advantageous bacteria such as bifidobacterium. Benefits of Prebiotics In order to thrive, probiotics need a sufficient and consistent food supply. Enter prebiotics, or prebiotic fiber. A higher intake of prebiotics has been linked to a host of benefits...
