Our microbiome refers to the diverse community of microorganisms that inhabit our bodies, primarily in our gastrointestinal tract, but also on our skin and in other areas. This community consists of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes, collectively playing a crucial role in maintaining our health and well-being. The gut microbiome, in particular, is home to trillions of microorganisms, with hundreds of different species. These microbes contribute to various physiological functions, including digestion, nutrient absorption, immune system regulation, and even influencing our mood and behavior. A balanced and diverse microbiome is associated with better overall health, while disruptions in its composition, known as dysbiosis, have been linked to various health conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and autoimmune disorders What are Probiotics? Probiotics have garnered increasing attention recently for their potential to support gut health and overall well-being. But what exactly are probiotics? Simply put, probiotics are live microorganisms that have health benefits to the host when consumed in adequate amounts. These microorganisms, often referred to as "friendly" or "good" bacteria, can be found naturally in certain foods like yogurt, kefir, fermented vegetables, and dietary supplements. They primarily consist of strains of bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, known for their beneficial effects on the gut.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics represent a trinity of microbial-based therapies that are revolutionizing our understanding of health and nutrition. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. They are often referred to as ‘good’ or ‘friendly’ bacteria and are typically found in fermented foods or dietary supplements. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are compounds in food that induce the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. They act as food for probiotics and are found in fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Postbiotics are the biochemical byproducts of probiotic bacteria, which can also have health-promoting properties. These include substances like organic acids, bacteriocins, enzymes, and other metabolic products that can influence the gut environment. Together, these biotics play a crucial role in maintaining gut health, supporting digestion, and enhancing immune function, marking a significant shift towards a more holistic approach in dietary science and medicine.

An anal fissure is a tear in the anus. It can be small and clear up on its own, or because of its location, it can be painful and difficult to treat. Anal fissures are not as common as piles (hemorrhoids) but can affect as many as 1 in 10 people in their lifetime. People with anal symptoms may experience sharp pain when trying to poop, which can last several hours afterward. They can also get a small amount of bright red blood on the tissue or in the bowl. The anal ring is a type of muscular mucosal tissue, much like the lips are. If you can imagine getting cracked lips in the cold, this can be painful but also difficult to mend as it’s a moist area.

The FODMAP diet helps people who have stomach problems like bloating, gas, and pain after eating. It is especially helpful for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is a common stomach issue. The diet works by cutting out certain foods that can cause these problems. Many people feel better when they know which foods make their symptoms worse.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common ailment, and every sufferer has their own particular set of symptoms and triggers. As it commonly starts in the 20s and 30s, it will be most people’s first experience of dealing with a long-term condition. Physical symptoms – abdominal pain, bloating or altered bowel habits – can dominate consultations with your doctor because of their impact on daily life. Sometimes the mental health side of IBS can get sidelined, but attention to your psychological needs can actually improve symptoms. Recognizing that there is a huge mental health burden is the first step, and taking measures to protect yourself is the next. Here we dig into these in more detail to keep yourself as well as you can be.

Diet is the first thing to address when you’re suffering an episode of constipation. But when you’re feeling uncomfortable and bloated, it can be difficult to know where to start. You’ve heard that fiber is good for you, but which foods have that, and how much do you need? And what's "roughage"? Let’s talk you through foods high in fiber, also known as roughage.

It’s that time of year when we subject ourselves to an excess of food and drink and then painfully remember that our bodies still treat alcohol in exactly the same way as that day long ago when we first discovered how to make it. There are countless apocryphal remedies for treating a hangover, all of which forget the obvious - don’t drink too much in the first place! Assuming this advice is about to be forgotten, then the next thing to do is to eat before drinking. This slows the passage of alcohol into the bloodstream and explains why a couple of drinks on an empty stomach can leave you reeling. It will do nothing to ultimately affect the levels of alcohol in your bloodstream so the only thing that will sober you up - black coffee is a classic myth - is time. Although any alcohol will make you feel dreadful given enough of it, the usual suspects for really bad hangovers are brandy, cheap red wine and rum. These are low in absolute alcohol but high in products of fermentation - called congeners - which are broken down into chemicals that trigger hangover symptoms such as a headache. Other well-known symptoms include thirst, nausea and vomiting, sweating, shaking and high anxiety levels. Thirst is caused by alcohol being a diuretic and so if you drink a couple of glasses of red wine you will lose about twice that amount of water from the body over an hour or two. The irritant properties of alcohol on the stomach play a part here too, but the whole picture needs to be considered, not just the alcohol. Throw smoking, a lack of sleep, too much rich food and unexpected psychological events into the mix and you have a recipe for a serious hangover. Just as you lose water from your body when hung over, you also lose potassium and glucose (which is why you can feel so hungry despite not wanting to eat anything!). One of the easiest ways to rebalance this is to eat bananas, as these are rich in both potassium and magnesium, which help to regulate blood sugar levels. They are also rich in Vitamin C, which tends to be wiped out by having too much to drink. You can buy rehydration tablets that will help to restore your fluid levels and mineral balance in our shop. So, if you don’t want a hangover then go light on the drinks! This option is something that we control ourselves, but what about what we eat over the festive season? It may come as a surprise to learn that in the US we can eat several thousand calories on Christmas day, with the dinner itself having 1,000 calories in it (in case you’re wondering, it would take 10 hours of running to burn off those calories)! What most people certainly don’t realize however, amidst the annual calorie blow-out, is that there are hundreds of deaths a year from food poisoning, and that one in five of us will risk food poisoning by eating old turkey leftovers that have been around longer than the recommended limit of 2 days in the fridge. So, what can you do to prevent your risk of being hit by this over the festive season? Well, most food poisoning is caused by eating or drinking food which is contaminated. This contamination may be caused by bacteria, viruses, chemicals or toxins but most food poisoning is caused by bacteria such as Salmonella or Campylobacter. The foods most commonly involved with food poisoning are meat and poultry, shellfish, rice and dairy products, and most food poisoning is related to food prepared in the home. There is usually no way of telling whether food is contaminated as it usually looks, tastes and smells normal.

Foreign body ingestion occurs with any object that is small enough to pass into the mouth and be swallowed. This happens more often in children but can also happen in adults, especially with food such as fish bones or medications. Most foreign bodies will pass on their own without any intervention. In children especially, some foreign bodies can be life-threatening if they obstruct the airways. In others, damage can occur to the windpipe and the digestive tract.

Back pain is a common condition that can affect people of all ages. It can be caused by factors such as poor posture, injury, or worsening conditions like arthritis. However, not many people are aware that spinal problems can also impact digestion. This is because the central nervous system (CNS) plays a significant role in controlling the movement and function of the muscles and organs in the digestive system. When the CNS is disrupted, it can lead to digestive problems, such as bloating, gas, and constipation. Also, spinal misalignments can cause nerve pinches that affect the communication between the CNS and the digestive system. This can lead to further digestive issues, such as acid reflux, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. It is important to note that not all digestive issues are caused by spinal problems. However, if you have back pain and digestive problems, you should talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to spinal issues and suggest appropriate treatment options.

Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, are common bacteria that can live in your gut, but for most people it causes no harm. However, for some, it causes damage to the stomach lining, which leaves it open to further damage from acids and toxins in the stomach. This may eventually lead to ulcers, where an area of lining gets worn through. In the beginning, you may have acid reflux symptoms that give heartburn or indigestion after eating or drinking. If this continues over time (weeks to months) without treatment, this may cause more lasting damage, causing gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where indigestion symptoms are more frequent and long-lasting. Peptic ulcers – ulcers found in the stomach or small bowel – will cause severe abdominal pain that may leave you doubled over at times. There may be some internal bleeding, so you might notice your stools are black and tarry, or any vomit may resemble the color and consistency of ground coffee. For this, you will need to seek urgent medical attention. It's important to get your acid reflux symptoms recognized and treated, and if you test positive for H. pylori, this should be treated promptly.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects the gastrointestinal system. It causes abdominal discomfort or pain along with bloating or changes in bowel habits. Certain symptoms like bloating, trapped gas, and abdominal cramps can prove embarrassing, particularly if you have diarrhea or need to rush to the bathroom several times a day. Many suffer in silence, reluctant to go to their doctor or pharmacist to discuss such personal issues. There is no specific test to confirm IBS. Doctors can make a diagnosis based on symptoms, persisting for at least 6 months, and in the absence of other gastrointestinal conditions that could account for symptoms. Bowel habits must be altered more than a quarter of the time to meet the criteria for diagnosis. IBS is a common condition that isn’t life-threatening and that doesn’t put you at higher risk of serious conditions like bowel cancer. However, it’s a long-term condition that can be debilitating and cause significant impact on work, study, social activities, and daily tasks. It can take its toll on your mood and quality of life. Symptoms may be continuous or intermittent, with a chronic waxing-and-waning cycle that can last for years. IBS is a common condition, affecting 10 to 15% of the US population. That’s likely an underestimate, as many people don’t seek medical help. Symptoms usually start before the age of 40 years and it more often occurs in women.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is incredibly common with numbers suggesting it may be present in up to 2 in 10 people. Symptoms tend to start when people are in their twenties or thirties, and it is usually possible to make a diagnosis with your doctor based on symptoms rather than endless tests and consultations.