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The word inflammation is often associated with temporary pain due to an injury, allergic reaction or muscle strain for example. In fact, some of the most serious chronic medical conditions are a form of inflammation, usually caused by oxidative stress. Including cancer, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s Disease. If you have a medical diagnosis linked to an inflammatory condition, it is likely to end in ‘itis’ which is Latin for inflammation. For instance, appendicitis, colitis (colon), cystitis (bladder), gingivitis (gums), pericarditis (the sac surrounding the heart), gastritis (stomach), and mastitis (breasts). Then, of course, severe allergic reactions and asthma are also inflammatory responses.

A shocking 84% of UK adults are classified as being ‘highly at risk’ of developing tooth decay. That's despite all the publicity about regularly cleaning your teeth, and all the oral hygiene products on supermarket shelves. The NHS reports that 9.7 million dental treatments a year - such as fillings, extractions, and root work- are delivered yearly in England alone! Could part of the reason for that, be dietary shortfalls rather than poor oral hygiene? We all know the things we shouldn’t eat – sugary snacks and drinks. Also, the role calcium plays in building our teeth is well publicised. Fortunately, calcium-rich foods are now commonplace in most households and the NHS acknowledges that you “get all the calcium you need by eating a varied and balanced diet”. However, calcium is not the only dietary element that promotes healthy teeth, gums and mouths in general! Are there nutritional supplements to optimise dental health, and what can we eat…. to strengthen the system, we use to eat?

There’s been much discussion in recent years, about the advantages of purposefully creating a balance in the micro-organisms that live in your body. Including marketing-speak about the need to buy probiotic products to build ‘healthy gut bacteria’. In fact, it’s a nutritional topic that has genuine and substantial relevance to both preventing ill health, and potentially treating some issues. Adding to your body’s tally of micro-organisms is also widely seen as an important way to offset some of the negative aspects of modern life. Including society’s increasing reliance on over-processed foods, the rising levels of air pollution, and the significant strains on our immune health.

Publicity about probiotics currently outweighs information about prebiotic food substances. Even though both are responsible for creating good digestive health and a ripple effect of other key medical advantages.

The evidence is strong and growing that a diet that relies on processed foods – especially those classed as ultra-processed – will compromise your health. It could even make you more vulnerable to some of the leading causes of death across the globe.

Do you sleep on your stomach, back or side? Whatever the answer, your stomach could be playing a key role in whether you get a good night’s sleep or not. Before you jump to the conclusion this is about avoiding rich food, caffeine, and of course cheese at bedtime, we’re in fact talking about the microorganisms in your gut and the impact they have on healthy sleep cycles. Those tiny things – officially known as the gut microbiome – could be what’s keeping you awake or causing you to not slumber deeply enough. With all the problems that creates!

Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are viruses that can be used for therapeutic purposes and are increasing in popularity due to their ability to heighten immunity against different types of pathogens. Pathogens are illness-causing microorganisms that include viruses, bacteria, and fungi, among others. In addition to targeting pathogens by attacking their cell walls, bacteriophages confer antimicrobial activity that boosts digestive function and targets gastrointestinal inflammation, intestinal infections, and stomach upset.

According to a study that was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, probiotic supplements have been shown to boost immune function in endurance athletes. The research, which used long-distance runners as its subjects, indicated that regular dosing decreased the likelihood of respiratory illnesses.

A recently released study has discovered that the role of diet and its effect on our gut bacteria may directly impact our cardiovascular wellbeing. Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the research revealed that a plant-based diet can significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), as it encourages good bacteria and positively influences the gut’s microbiome pattern.

Probiotics are live bacteria or microorganisms found in the digestive tract which have been shown to benefit human health and contribute to a healthy microbiome. The microbiome refers to the balance of different types of bacteria in the gut and a healthy microbiome contains plenty of beneficial strains (or probiotics). Numerous studies show that a healthy microbiome can positively influence many aspects of human health, including digestion, mental health, and immunity.