It is a bit mind-blowing to think about, but we all have trillions of microorganisms from thousands of different species living inside our bodies and their collective term is microbiome.1 You’ll know that a strong immune system is vital to help us ward off common illnesses such as colds and flu, as well as reducing our chances of developing more serious diseases and autoimmune disorders. But did you know how important the microbiome is in overall health? Around 70-80% of our immune system can be found in our gut, where our...
It’s thought that four in ten of us are experiencing a digestive problem at any one time.1 From stomach aches to indigestion, gut troubles can be incredibly uncomfortable and unpleasant. With this in mind, it’s unsurprising that we often see new diets, products, or lifestyles that promise a healthier gut. Probiotics are possibly the most well-known treatment to improve gastrointestinal health. Probiotics are also reasonably well-researched, with some clinical trials suggesting that adding more probiotics to our diets could have a positive benefit.2 Still, results are mixed, so it’s always worth proceeding...
Diarrhoea is reasonably common and usually nothing to worry about, although we know you’ll want to get over an episode as quickly as possible. Here we’ll look at some possible causes of diarrhoea and ways you can speed up your recovery. What is diarrhoea? Most healthy adults have bowel movements between three times a week and three times a day.1 Our bodies are efficient when it comes to absorbing nutrients and fluid from food in the gut. Diarrhoea is a symptom of digestive health becoming disturbed, for example, by a virus...
Constipation can be embarrassing to talk about, so here’s all the info you need. Find out what’s normal, what’s not – and when to seek help. Many of us have been constipated at some point, but if you get constipation on a regular basis – or it lasts more than a few days – there may be a medical reason that needs addressing. Constipation can be painful and uncomfortable and something babies, children and adults can all experience. It's estimated that around 1 in every 7 adults and up to...
Do your trousers dig in after every meal? Or perhaps your stomach resembles a beachball months after summer is over? You could be suffering from bloating, but help is at hand. First, see your GP to rule out anything more serious such as coeliac disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) if you’ve been suffering for several months. We need to eat, but the after-effects of a heavy meal aren’t always so enjoyable – in fact, nearly one in three of us experience an uncomfortable bloated feeling after meals.1 This guide...
Gut health is key to overall health. This makes perfect sense as the gut, aka our gastrointestinal tract, is the organ system in charge of digesting the food we eat. The mouth, oesophagus, stomach and intestines work together to extract the energy and nutrients our body needs to thrive from it and then our rectum and anus get rid of any leftover waste.1 However, our busy modern lives can sometimes compromise our gut health, which isn’t hard to do as our gut is incredibly complex. Not many of us can...
