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What is Helicobacter pylori? During the process of digestion, the stomach uses a combination of enzymes and hydrochloric acid to break down food and its other contents. The stomach is protected from this strong gastric acid by a mucous lining. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium, of which there are around 29 different strains. It lives in the mucus and, as the body fights the infection and the bacteria produces chemicals, it causes inflammation of the lining, which can lead to various gastro-intestinal complaints – most notably gastric and duodenal ulcers. What causes an H. pylori infection? Although it’s...

A food intolerance (otherwise known as non-allergic food hypersensitivity), is a condition of the digestive system. It involves some form of negative reaction, which is caused by the body’s inability to properly digest a particular food, food additive or other compound found in food (or drink). Food intolerances are far more common than true food allergies. They also tend to occur more commonly in women, and one reason for this may be hormone differences as many food chemicals act to mimic hormones. Only approximately 5% of people are born with an allergy. In the majority of cases, both food allergies...

What’s in your supplements? More and more people in the UK and around the world are turning to alternative medicine and natural remedies to support their health and well-being, or to help them achieve their health goals. However, as with anything, when it comes to health supplements you get what you pay for. If you walk into a supermarket, health shop or pharmacy nowadays, you will more than likely find a huge (and confusing!) selection of vitamins, minerals and other supplements – often with wide ranging price points. The question is, are they all the same? And, if not, how...