Gallbladder Symptoms | What Are Gallstones Made of?
If may surprise you that as much as 50% of the US population suffer from gallstones. However, only a small percentage of those people have gallbladder symptoms. But, have you ever stopped to think of what actually makes up a gallstone? There are actually two different kinds of gallstones: cholesterol stones, and pigment stones. Both…
Wondering about Herbal Help for Gallbladder Symptoms?
Many people who want to avoid gallbladder problems look to natural approaches and lifestyle remedies. Herbal supplements fit right into this approach. But which herbs help with gallbladder symptoms? Milk thistle is one herb that is commonly recommended for gallbladder support. In fact, milk thistle supports both the liver and the gallbladder, since these…
Is H. Pylori Really the Cause of Acid Reflux Symptoms?
For the past 20 years medicine as been on a quest to eliminate the dreaded bacteria, H. Pylori. In 1983 Australian scientists proposed that H. Pylori was the cause of peptic ulcers. Studies showed that when people with acid reflux symptoms who tested positive for H. Pylori were treated with multiple antibiotics and anti-fungals that their symptoms…
Acid Reflux Symptoms | Why You Need Your Stomach Acid
If you’ve ever had a bad case of heartburn, you know how painful acid creeping back up your throat is. The burning can be simply unbearable. But that acid in your stomach is actually pretty critical for optimal health. For a lot of people, the solution is simple, take an antacid to neutralize the burn.…
References for Side Effects of Heartburn Medication
LATC Mar 2015 Yang, YX, Lewis JD, Epstein S, Metz DC. Long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy and risk of hip fracture. JAMA 296 (24): 2947-53 http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(09)00780-X/abstract – http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/issue.aspx?journalid=71&issueid=5765&direction=P – (Mitchell) Valuck RJ, Ruscin JM. Study on adverse effects: H2 blocker or proton pump inhibitor use and vitamin B12 deficiency. J Clin Epidemiol 2004;57:422-428. Russell RM,…
Sugar and Gallbladder Symptoms | What You Need to Know
The biggest cause of gallbladder symptoms has always been believed to be fat. But, you may be surprised to hear that there is actually an even biggest culprit: SUGAR. A study in the Journal of the American College of Clinical Nutrition published in June 2004 concludes that consumption of simple sugars increases risk of gallstone formation.…
Are Acid Reflux Symptoms Linked to Cancer?
Anyone that has ever suffered from acid reflux can tell you it’s just plain uncomfortable. But, it is possible to have acid reflux without the typical digestive complaints? Well, yes you can and this particular type of silent reflux is linked with esophageal cancer. Now that I’ve brought up the word cancer you are probably…
Five Foods to Balance Perimenopause Symptoms
If you are suffering from hot flashes, unpredictable periods and mood swings, perimenopause can be an extremely challenging time. During this time your body needs help to process hormones and that can led to minimizing your perimenopause symptoms. Vitamins like B, A, E and C along with selenium and magnesium can be just the fix. Functional Medicine…
How to Choose Good Fats to Keep your Gallbladder Healthy
From lowering the risk of heart attacks to improving weight loss, the cure-all, according to conventional medicine, has been a low fat diet. But it turns out there’s more to the picture. Our bodies actually need fat and without good sources we risk having low levels of hormones and higher inflammation. Be aware though that it’s…
Top 10 Food Triggers of Acid Reflux Symptoms
Are you trying to get a handle on your acid reflux without resorting to the medicine cabinet? That’s great, because we know that acid blocking medications have some serious long-term effects. If you’re confused about which foods are really triggering your symptoms there’s a good reason for that. Different studies point to different food triggers because…
Post-Holiday Blahs? | Important Health Tips to Start the Year Right
“Detox” programs are being promoted as a cure-all but they need to be approached with caution. There is no miracle remedy that will erase the results of years (or even weeks) of convenience food, rich restaurant fare and medications. If you have spent any time on the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) of coffee and bagels…
Spicy Glazed Nuts Recipe | Great Snack or Salad Topper
At first glance this recipe might look like a dessert, since it calls for sugar. But this recipe uses sugar as a seasoning rather than a main ingredient. There is about 1 tsp of sugar in each 1/4 cup serving, which is a good sized snack. If you’re using it as a salad topping you’ll…
Upset Stomach, Indigestion and Bloating? Think Gallbladder
Do you get frequent stomach upset? Stomach pain after meals, nausea, indigestion and bloating are all symptoms that tend to get explained away by “I ate too much” or “I have a sensitive stomach”. But these are the exact symptoms that indicate early stage gallbladder problems. Unnecessary Surgery Surgery to remove the gallbladder is the…
Tips for Surviving the Holidays | Size Does Matter
Size does matter…the size of your plate that is. Let’s face it the Holidays can be an all out eating marathon. With work, friend and family parties it’s hard to find an event that DOESN’T include an oh-so-tempting smorgasbord of sugary confections. Looking for some simple methods to manage the madness and avoid stress and…
The Best Butternut Squash Soup for a Wet, Rainy Day
My favorite recipe is 3 sentences long. I got it years ago from the newsletter that came in my weekly CSA* box, Two Small Farms. I laughed when I read it. It went like this: “Microwave 2 or 3 Butternut Squash. Saute lots of garlic and lots of onions in olive oil and butter. Add…