In the world of wholistic health, garlic has an impressive reputation for being known not only as a culinary ingredient but also for the myriad health benefits it offers. Known scientifically as Allium sativum, garlic is a bulbous plant that belongs to the onion family and is native to Central Asia. It has been a staple in traditional medicine for centuries, such as using garlic for digestive health, and is known to help improve overall well-being.

The gut microbiome includes more than just bacteria. Yeast are a critical component of the gut microbiome, contributing to a healthy intestinal environment and aiding in digestion.

What is happening when we feel less than 100% after eating certain foods? WholisticMatters shows how your body responds to a food intolerance vs. a food allergy. WholisticMatters also gives some steps and recommendations to help the next time you might encounter an intolerance or allergy. Be sure to talk to a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet about intolerances and allergies.

The gut microbiome is a vibrant community of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that call the human body home. They “pay rent” by producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) as fuel for gut cells, competing with pathogenic bacteria for resources, and enhancing the availability of unique nutrients from plants, called phytochemicals. In return, humans provide a comfortable habitat for these microorganisms to live, complete with nutrients through the food individuals eat every day and other resources.

Robert Martindale, MD, PhD, explains the importance of probiotics and prebiotics in altering the composition of the gut microbiome. Fiber, especially soluble fiber, for example, is a prebiotic with a positive influence on the gut microbiome. Prebiotics like fiber can support healthy bacteria in the gut microbiome, addressing all-cause mortality.

The fast-paced Western lifestyle offers many exciting opportunities; however, the human body was not necessarily designed to keep up with the demands that this lifestyle places on its physiology. Increased stress and productivity demands create a shift in the amount of excreted cortisol, a stress hormone, which has cascading effects within the body. In particular, cortisol levels can have a significant effect on the digestive system. Nutritional modifications, lifestyle changes, and incorporating herbal approaches to digestive health, like Berberine and Black Cumin seeds, have been shown to help balance the effect stress has on the digestive system.

What causes Leaky Gut and what can you do about it?