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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) a common condition that affects the digestive system, i.e., the large intestine. If you suffer from this condition you are probably experiencing signs and symptoms like stomach cramps and pain, gas, diarrhoea, bloating, and constipation. Unfortunately, IBS can be a lifelong chronic condition which can be quite frustrating and influence the quality of your life. It's important to mention if you have severe symptoms, you should seek medical help and support.

I know, I know... poop isn't something you want to talk about! In fact, it is usually an off-putting topic and people generally feel uncomfortable and embarrassing when they have to talk about it, even with their doctor. But, the truth is, your poop - from the shape, size, smell, and color - can tell you so much about your overall health and wellbeing.

So, let's see what you can find out about your health from what you see in the toilet after doing a poop.

 If you're pretty active like I am, you want to protect your tissues. 

Did you know that the most abundant tissue in the body, which is also extremely important for anyone who works out, is none other than “connective” tissue?

Connective tissue “connects” things in your body to help maintain structure.  It basically supports and anchors parts together.   

For example, your joints have ligaments (that attach bones to each other), as well as tendons (that attach muscles to bones).  These are examples of “dense” connective tissue made mainly of collagen. 

Your joints also have cartilage and fluid to “cushion” the ends of the bones when you move so they don't rub against each other and cause pain or “wear and tear”.  Cartilage and fluid are also part of your connective tissue.

Basically, connective tissue is composed of collagen and elastic fibers (elastin), cartilage, other specialized cells, with a healthy dose of cushioning fluid too.

All connective tissue is super-important for a well-functioning body, and of course, there are certain key foods and nutrients that support optimal tissue health!  And because some parts of your joints don't have a huge blood supply, they can take months (or longer) to heal after an injury. 

So, let's make sure that you're constantly supplying your joints (and the rest of your body) with ample nutrition to make them as robust as possible!

There may not be an obvious link between sleep deprivation and your weight, but more and more research is showing just how important sleep is for your mood, mental performance, overall health and wellness, and especially when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight.

 Many studies show that people who have a short sleep duration simply weigh more. And, in fact, as the levels of chronic (long-term) sleep deprivation have increased over the past 50 years, so have the growing epidemics of being overweight or obese.

You probably wouldn’t be surprised to know that more stress and stress hormones promote weight gain, would you?

 But what exactly is stress, and how does it keep you from your weight loss goals?

 In fact, there are actually many links between stress hormones and weight.  We’ll talk about six major reasons how stress hormones keep you from your weight loss goals. These include the effect stress has on digestion and gut health, inflammation and the immune system. Stress can cause cravings, increased appetite, and “stress eating.” It can promote fat storage around the waist with its effect on insulin sensitivity. Stress can also be mood-busting and demotivating, not to mention how it worsens sleep.

There are so many nutrients that you need for overall health. Vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and essential fats, just to name a few.

 But which ones are the most important for your brain?

 Which nutrients can help with brain development of infants, improve moods, and reduce risk of dementias like Alzheimer’s?

The keto health craze is here!

 And if you’re wondering whether you should try it or not (especially if you’re an athlete), you need to read this!

 The idea behind the diet’s popularity is that it can literally train your body to burn fat as fuel. This means your metabolism actually changes. You stop burning carbohydrates (your body’s preferred fuel), and start burning fat (and ketones) as fuel.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a type of abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia).

Your heart has four chambers that beat in a rhythm; two atria and two ventricles. The atria are the upper chambers. AF happens when the atria beat too fast and irregularly. They “quiver” instead of pumping properly.

Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. It’s sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin” because our skin makes it when exposed to the sun.

It’s also the most common nutrient deficiency!

Like most vitamins, vitamin D has many functions in the body. It’s mostly known for its ability to help build strong bones. But, vitamin D is also important for a healthy immune system, digestive system, heart and mental health, blood sugar regulation, fertility, and resistance to cancer.

The gut (a.k.a. digestive tract) is not just a tube that absorbs nutrients and gets rid of waste - it’s a complex alive system that’s a huge foundation of health. And not just gut health, but the overall health of our bodies and minds. We know how important it is to get all of our essential nutrients from food - and this is a big part of what our digestive tract does. But, there is way more to the story than just that.