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Celiac Awareness Month

Published on: 16 May, 2023

May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month, and May 16 is Celiac Awareness Day in Canada.

Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune condition that results in inflammation and damage to the small intestine when gluten is consumed. It is not an allergy to wheat or wheat products. Celiac disease affects approximately 1% of people worldwide, and many people have the condition without knowing it. Symptoms vary greatly from person to person, and some people may be completely asymptomatic, while others suffer from severe digestive, neurological, or skin symptoms. The only treatment for celiac disease is a lifelong adherence to a gluten free diet. Untreated celiac disease can result in numerous complications, including vitamin deficiencies, infertility, hair loss, brittle bones, ulcers in the small intestine, and rarely, certain types of cancer. While there is no cure for celiac disease, most people respond well to a gluten-free diet and live a normal life.

Additional resources:

Colorectal Cancer Rates in Young Adults

Published on: 8 Mar, 2023
The diagnosis of colorectal cancer in adults younger than 55 years of age has double over the last 25 years. Additionally, colorectal cancer is being diagnosed at a more advanced stage in an increasingly higher number of cases. Over half of newly diagnosed cases seem to be related to modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, and excess body weight. A few simple lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough physical activity, and maintaining a healthy body weight can go a long way towards reducing the risk of developing colorectal cancer, and a large proportion of cases can be prevented if screening and surveillance recommendations are followed.
 
Read the full article here.

Vibrating Pill to Treat Constipation

Published on: 15 Feb, 2023
A novel approach to treating constipation has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. This drug-free treatment is designed for daily use and requires the patient to activate and then swallow a small pill. As the pill travels through the digestive system, intermittent vibrations it produces stimulates increased peristalsis, the wavelike muscle contractions that move food through the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, this treatment may be a viable option for patients that suffer from constipation related to decreased peristalsis.
 

Dietary Fiber

Published on: 6 Jan, 2023
Dietary fiber is an important component of a healthy balanced diet; it is essential in keeping the gut healthy as well as reducing the risk of developing a number of chronic illnesses. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of people consume adequate amounts of fiber on a daily basis. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that women consume 25 grams of fiber per day, and men should consume 38 grams per day. In addition to providing numerous other health benefits, fruits, nuts, vegetables, legumes and whole grains are also good sources of fiber.
 

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