According to the findings of an investigation by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago, regular consumption of black raspberries may help prevent colorectal cancer.

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The study, which was recently featured in Cancer Prevention Research, tested the effectiveness of supplementing the diets of cancer and colitis prone lab mice with freeze-dried black powder. The two types of mice, technically referred to as strains Apc1638 and Muc2, are engineered to lack specific genes which significantly reduce their chances of developing either colorectal cancer or Ulcerative colitis, respectively.

Continue reading: “Study: Eating Black Raspberries May Help Prevent Colon Cancer”

The ironic tendency for the long term use of anti-biotic drugs to cause secondary bacterial infections over time has troubled medical science for decades.

However, thanks to a recent discovery by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, they may soon have a better understanding why.

The cause – as many of us in the natural health community have suspected for years – appears to be the destruction of beneficial bacteria that normally reside in the human digestive tract. It seems that the presence of this bacteria helps keep the body’s immune system better primed for action against transient, or “bad,” bacteria that may cause infection.

Professor of Microbiology and Pediatrics, Jeffrey Weiser, MD, gives the popular analogy of moving a car. That is to say, it’s significantly easier to move a car that’s engine is running at idle speed than one that hasn’t been switched on yet.

Continue reading: “Research: Probiotics Help Keep Your Immune System Ready to Fight Off Infections”

Weight loss is something many women struggle with after pregnancy. And the unfortunate truth is, a good number of them were already carrying around an unhealthy amount of excess body fat even before they were pregnant.

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Better understanding female obesity — before, during, and after pregnancy — is an important step in controlling the tide of obesity that continues to spread across the United States. And according to some researchers, there is a growing body of scientific evidence which suggests that probiotic bacteria may potentially hold the key to not only a better understanding of weight gain, but also how to prevent it.

In 2009, Nutritionist Kirsi Laitinen, of the University of Turku in Finland, discovered a link between the use of probiotic supplementation during early stages of pregnancy, and weight loss following birth.

Continue reading: “Study: Taking Probiotics During Pregnancy May Prevent Obesity & Assist Weightloss After Birth”

Probiotics are beneficial forms of gut bacteria that help stimulate the natural digestive juices and enzymes that keep our digestive organs functioning properly. In addition to taking a probiotic supplement, you can also support your probiotic intake through eating foods that are hosts to these live bacterium.

We all know of the great health benefits of probiotics, however, not all of us know how to take advantage of these health benefits. Below is a list I put together to outline the best probiotic foods for you to add to your diet. I would also recommend buying the organic version of all these probiotic foods.

1. Yogurt

One of the best probiotic foods is live-cultured yogurt, especially handmade. Look for brands made from goat milk that has been infused with extra forms of probitoics like lactobacillus or acidophilus. Goat’s milk and cheese are particularly high in probiotics like thermophillus, bifudus, bulgaricus and acidophilus. Be sure to read the ingredients list, as not all yogurts are made equally. Many popular brands are filled with High Fructose Corn Syrup, artificial sweeteners and artifical flavors.

Continue reading: “Top 10 Probiotic Foods to Add to Your Diet”

New research published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology shows that certain strains of probiotic bacteria may be the most effective way to alleviate the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). In light of these findings, many experts are optimistic that safe, more effective treatment options for IBD are soon to follow.

What Is IBD & Why Is It So Difficult to Treat?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a very serious medical condition, and should not be confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). While both are generalized terms which relate to abnormal bowel conditions, one is significantly more serious than the other. While the symptoms of IBS are unpleasant, and can often lead to a dramatic decrease in quality of life, they are not usually fatal.

IBD, on the other hand, is usually associated with digestive conditions like Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis. It often includes more severe symptoms such as frequent bloody diarrhea, which can become life-threatening to some individuals if left untreated.

Continue reading: “Researchers Discover Successful Probiotic Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease”