You’ve heard the old saying “you are what you eat,” but have you considered that not only what, but when and how you eat, really affects your overall colon health? Also, keep in mind that proper eating isn’t just for adults; these patterns begin at a very early age. Sort of like the saying, “monkey see, monkey do.”

The digestive system is designed to help the body break down foods so that their nutrients can be absorbed and used “to build and nourish cells and to provide energy to fuel other body processes,” (Source: FoodInsight.org). What foods we eat and when and how plays a significant role in the health of our digestive system. (more…)

Sure you’ve been brushing your teeth since you were old enough to hold a toothbrush, but are you doing it correctly? Brushing your teeth is very important, especially in light of recent research suggesting a connection between dental plaque and cancer. Results showed that those who’d died from cancer tended to have more plaque in a previous study.

When you brush your teeth, it’s important to use short, gentle strokes and concentrate on trouble spots like the gum line, hard-to-reach back teeth, and areas around fillings, crowns and other dental restoration (Source: Colgate). (more…)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder involving the small intestines and colon. Symptoms of IBS include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, and constipation. According to WebMD, IBS affects up to 55 million Americans, mainly women. While its causes are unknown, IBS is generally not a debilitating condition. In most cases, IBS can be controlled by managing diet, stress, and lifestyle (Source: Mayo Clinic).

If you suffer from IBS, here are five helpful tips to minimize your symptoms and live a fuller life. (more…)

According to recent digestive health news, some dieter’s teas may do more harm than good to your digestive tract, especially if you already have a gastrointestinal medical concern. That’s because the natural ingredients in some dieter’s teas may cause cramping and abdominal distress if proper care isn’t taken to educate yourself on the ingredients.

However, don’t throw out all your tea bags just yet! Some herbal teas have actually been proven to be quite beneficial in treating digestion problems from upset stomach to indigestion, flatulence to nausea. Yerba mate may even be effective in fighting colon cancer (Source: NaturalNews.com).

Whether you choose to brew your own at home or purchase your teabags from the grocery store, these digestion-friendly herbal teas may be a better alternative for your tummy troubles than an over-the-counter medication. [Always consult your doctor first to avoid any negative interactions.] (more…)

A recent study by the University of North Carolina’s Eating Disorders Program (UNC EDP) reveals that adolescent girls may not be the only ones falling victim to eating disorders. Roughly two-thirds of the over 1,800 women surveyed reported an overall unhappiness with their physical appearance. Many of the women age 50 and over are resorting to unhealthy ways to lose weight. On average, eight percent purge, seven and a half percent take diet pills, seven percent exercise excessively, three and a half binge, two and a half take diuretics, two percent take laxatives, and one percent vomit. The key to getting thin and staying thin is to develop healthy habits.

If being thin is the goal for women over 50, then these drastic measures are not the way to do it. According to psychiatrist Cynthia Bulik, lead researcher on the study and director of the UNC EDP, “the body becomes less resilient to the physical insults from starvation, binge eating, and purging as it ages. So these disorders in older women may lead to even more medical complications because the body bounces back less easily as it ages” (Source: U.S. News & World Report). (more…)