All articles about Digestive Disorders, page 3
Is It Really IBS… or Is It SIBO? (Most People Never Get Tested)
Have you been told you’ve got IBS… but your symptoms never seem to go away, even when you try a low FODMAP diet and other approaches?
There’s a reason for that—1 in 3 IBS cases could actually be caused by something called SIBO.
And the worst part? Most doctors don’t test for it.
At Diet vs. Disease, we’ve tested and treated this in thousands of clients across North America, Australia, and Europe — and in this article, you’ll learn exactly if you should suspect SIBO, how to test for it, and what your results actually mean.
[Discover More…]How To Treat Diverticulitis: The 2 Steps You Need To Know
So you’ve experienced just how awful a diverticulitis flare-up can be.
Or perhaps you’ve had multiple flare-ups and you don’t want to go through that anymore.
The good news is based on my experience of more than 10 years in the field, I’m going to share with you two fundamental steps that will ensure that you get symptom-free and that you restore your gut health and resilience.
[Discover More…]What Are The 5 Warning Signs Of Severe IBS?
In this article we’ll look at the 5 main warning signs and symptoms of IBS, because a lot of patients get left on their own here by the doctor and are not sure if they have IBS or what to do.
In fact, can you guess what percentage of people these days are believed to have IBS, both globally but then also specifically in western countries, like the US, Canada, UK and Australia?
[Discover More…]The Baking Soda Test for Digestion
Your dietitian might suggest this simple test involving baking soda and water, known as ‘The Baking Soda Test’. Here is why. Your stomach is like a chemical factory, churning out various acids to break down the food you eat. Sometimes, this acid production can get out of balance. Some folks end up with too much stomach acid, leading to reflux issues. Others might have too little stomach acid, which can mimic reflux symptoms such as bloating, fullness, and discomfort. Now, let’s dive into some basic chemistry: Baking soda is a base (or alkaline substance), and it reacts with stomach acid to produce carbon dioxide gas. If you take baking soda on an empty stomach, it should trigger a burp within a few minutes due to the gas formation. If you don’t burp, it could be a sign that your stomach[Discover More…]
Weight Loss Macros: Are They Your Formula for Success?
Counting weight loss macros has become a popular approach to losing weight, because you can essentially eat what you want – to a degree. In fact, macro counting is sometimes referred to as flexible dieting, or IIFYM (“if it fits your macros”). So, what are macros and should you be counting them if you want to lose weight? This article looks into the role of macros and whether or not keeping track of them is a viable way to lose weight. Macronutrients for Weight Loss Macronutrients (macros, for short) include protein, fat, carbohydrates and water. These are nutrients that we need in large amounts for energy (calories) and optimal health. Like calorie counting, macro counting promotes weight loss by creating a calorie deficit. However, it’s a bit more complicated because it requires that you hit three separate macro goals per[Discover More…]
The Vagus Nerve Explained in Plain English
The vagus nerve is one of the longest and most important nerves in the body and helps control a number of crucial functions.
It connects your brain to your gut, and can affect everything from your mood and stress levels to your digestion, heart rate and immune response.
It may also play a major role in inflammation and various chronic diseases if not working properly.
Here, we discuss what the vagus nerve is, what it does, and how stimulating it may be beneficial for both your physical and mental health.
[Discover More…]Low FODMAP Food List: What Can You Eat on a Low FODMAP Diet?
If you’ve been advised to follow a FODMAP elimination diet, a low FODMAP food list can make your life much easier.
Below, we’ve organized a comprehensive list of both foods to enjoy and foods to avoid when following a low FODMAP diet.
[Discover More…]The Gut-Brain Axis Explained in Plain English
One of the most cutting-edge areas of research involves the ‘gut-brain axis’ – the connection between the brain, gut, and microbiome and its potentially huge influence over our health.
Only recently have scientists started to better understand the gut-brain-microbiome axis and how it can impact not only physical and digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but also mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
This article investigates our current understanding of what the gut-brain axis is, the role of the gut microbiome, and how our physical and mental health can be compromised when communication between one or more parts along this axis becomes faulty.
[Discover More…]Can You Have Protein Powder On The Low FODMAP Diet? This Is What You Need To Look For
Many people use protein powders for a variety of reasons, such as weight management or to help meet their protein requirements.
It is not necessary to use a protein powder on the low FODMAP diet, however if you choose to use one, then this article will help you to find one that is safe.
[Discover More…]What Are Prebiotics? A Detailed Look At Prebiotic Foods and Fiber
You may have heard of probiotics, but do you know about prebiotics?
Despite the similarity in names, there are some key differences.
While probiotics rightfully get a lot of praise from health experts, prebiotics are important as well.
So, what are prebiotics, and how can you get more of them?
Keep reading to learn more about the power of prebiotics.
[Discover More…]Fecal Impaction: How To Come Unstuck From an Impacted Bowel
[Last updated 7th of March, 2023]
Fecal impaction is fairly common, particularly in older adults and people who are bedridden.
In fact, one study found that 42% of seniors in a geriatric ward had experienced it (1).
It’s not usually a big deal once its resolved, but untreated impaction can result in very serious medical complications. It can also increase the risk of future impactions.
So what is fecal impaction, and can it be treated at home? Let’s take a look at the evidence.
[Discover More…]Can You Treat H. Pylori Naturally? A Look At Tests, Symptoms and Proven Treatments
[Last Updated 5th October, 2019]
H. pylori is a very common bacteria.
Many people have it and don’t even realize it. However, it’s sometimes difficult to treat and can cause serious health problems in some cases.
Certain foods and supplements have been reported to fight H. pylori alone and in combination with standard medical treatments.
This article explores how well diet and other natural treatments work against H. pylori.
[Discover More…]
