Chronic constipation is often a sign that the digestive system is not functioning optimally. In naturopathic medicine, sluggish digestion and reduced liver or gallbladder function are common underlying contributors. When digestion is slow or inefficient, waste can move sluggishly through the digestive tract, leading to infrequent or difficult bowel movements. Think of the digestive system […]

Stomach bloating, wind pain, and excess gas are very common digestive complaints. In naturopathic medicine, these symptoms are often linked to incomplete digestion. When we eat, the body releases digestive enzymes in the mouth, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine. These enzymes break food down into nutrients that the body can absorb. If the body produces […]

Sucrose is a common dietary sugar made up of two simple sugars: fructose (fruit sugar) and glucose. It is naturally present in foods but is most commonly consumed as table sugar, which is derived from sugar cane or sugar beets. You may also see it referred to as cane sugar, beet sugar, or table sugar. […]

Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. They are typically made from cholesterol, bile pigments, calcium bilirubinate, and calcium salts. They can develop slowly over many years and range in size from tiny grains to stones several centimetres wide. Interestingly, many people have gallstones and never know it — they often […]

Bitterness is the most sensitive of all taste sensations. While some people enjoy the sharp complexity of bitter foods, many find them unpleasant or overpowering. Common bitter foods include coffee, Swedish bitters, citrus fruits, lemon juice, and bitter greens such as rocket (arugula), kale, radicchio, endive, and chicory. In traditional naturopathic philosophy, bitterness is not […]

Mouth ulcers (also called aphthous ulcers) are small, shallow sores that develop on the inside of the cheeks, lips, tongue or soft palate. They typically appear white or yellow with a red, inflamed border and can be painful for 3–4 days, usually resolving within 7–10 days. While occasional ulcers are common, frequent or persistent outbreaks […]

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) was extensively researched and outlined by Mark Pimentel, Director of the Gastrointestinal Motility Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. SIBO occurs when excessive bacteria—whether beneficial or pathogenic—accumulate in the small intestine. While the large intestine is designed to house billions of bacteria that help eliminate waste and support overall health, the […]

Diarrhoea is not a disease in itself — it is a message from the body. When digestion becomes disrupted, irritated or overwhelmed, the body may respond by rapidly eliminating contents of the bowel. In this way, diarrhoea can be viewed as an “alarm bell,” signalling internal imbalance. While occasional loose stools may resolve quickly, ongoing […]

A hiatus hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes (herniates) upward through the diaphragm at the opening of the oesophagus. This opening, called the hiatus, normally allows food to pass into the stomach — but when weakened or strained, the upper portion of the stomach can protrude through it.For some people, a hiatus hernia […]

Barrett’s oesophagus is a serious digestive condition that usually develops after long-standing gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It occurs when repeated exposure to stomach acid causes structural changes in the lining of the lower oesophagus. Normally, the oesophagus is lined with squamous epithelial cells. In Barrett’s oesophagus, these cells are replaced with columnar epithelium containing goblet […]