Everyone knows the health benefits of probiotics, the beneficial bacteria that promotes good health. Many people ensure adequate probiotic intake either through probiotic foods or through supplementation. But how can we help the friendly bacteria flourish in our gut? It turns out that eating the right foods can feed the good bacteria in our gutContinue reading “What to eat to support probiotics in your gut”
Category Archives: Immunity
COVID-19: How to care for dry hands
Frequent handwashing and alcohol-based hand sanitizer gels can often lead to dry, cracked skin. When we wash our hands, the suds created by soap remove not only dirt and germs but also the natural, protective oils from our skin. This leads to dryness, flaking, irritation and in severe cases, cracks in the skin which canContinue reading “COVID-19: How to care for dry hands”
Abdominal pain and diarrhea? Bloated or excessive burping? You may have SIBO.
What is SIBO? Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition affecting the small intestine. SIBO is caused when bacteria that normally grow in other parts of the gut start growing in the small intestine. It typically causes pain and diarrhea. Experts estimate that up to 80% of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) sufferers may actually have SIBO. SomeContinue reading “Abdominal pain and diarrhea? Bloated or excessive burping? You may have SIBO.”
COVID-19: practical ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Hong Kong endured nearly 8 months of social unrest before COVID-19 hit the city in January 2020. Citizens were already facing a major mental health burden, with the medical journal The Lancet reporting that almost 2 million people in Hong Kong- about 1 in 3 adults in the city- experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Continue reading “COVID-19: practical ways to cope with stress and anxiety”
2020’s “Dirty Dozen”: What are the most pesticide-laden foods?
The 2020 Dirty Dozen™ List is out! Here is the list of foods that contain the most pesticide residues: Strawberries Spinach Kale Nectarines Apples Grapes Peaches Cherries Pears Tomatoes Celery Potatoes The list is released each year by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization which uses more than 40,000 produce samples testedContinue reading “2020’s “Dirty Dozen”: What are the most pesticide-laden foods?”
Coronavirus COVID-19: Scottish government advises people to take vitamin D
As part of the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic guidance, the Scottish government has recommended that people start getting a daily dose of vitamin D. The government statement published last week says: “Since it’s difficult for people to get enough vitamin D from food alone, everyone (including children and pregnant and breastfeeding women) should consider taking a daily supplementContinue reading “Coronavirus COVID-19: Scottish government advises people to take vitamin D”
Coronavirus COVID-19: virus can survive on surfaces for up to 17 days and ‘digestive symptoms are common’
The coronavirus survived for up to 17 days aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, living much longer on surfaces than previous research has shown, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States. Traces of the coronavirus were found on surfaces in cruise-ship cabins for as many as 17 days after passengersContinue reading “Coronavirus COVID-19: virus can survive on surfaces for up to 17 days and ‘digestive symptoms are common’”
Coronavirus COVID-19: how to support your immune system
COVID-19 has taken center stage as countries across the world scramble to implement social restrictions in an attempt to curb the spread of the potentially deadly coronavirus. According to Harvard scientist Marc Lipsitch, 40 to 70% of the global population could become infected with the coronavirus. Though the majority of infected people experience symptoms similarContinue reading “Coronavirus COVID-19: how to support your immune system”
Coronavirus COVID-19: dealing with the epidemic and practical tips to protect your health
As the number of coronavirus COVID-19 cases keeps climbing up, education and information are crucial factors in the management of this novel virus that causes pneumonia. As of February 15th, there are 67,100 confirmed cases and 1,526 deaths globally, the majority of which are reported in Mainland China (66,492 confirmed cases). In Hong Kong, panicContinue reading “Coronavirus COVID-19: dealing with the epidemic and practical tips to protect your health”
Novel coronavirus outbreak: practical tips to protect your health during Lunar New Year
Chinese New Year is fast approaching, and according to Hong Kong experts, the novel coronavirus has already spread to 20 other cities in China, just ahead of the country’s biggest festival. China has confirmed that this respiratory virus can be spread from human to human. Although the majority of the cases have been in Wuhan, theContinue reading “Novel coronavirus outbreak: practical tips to protect your health during Lunar New Year”
Dr. Ardyce Yik ND 