So why doesn’t it burn your stomach? Because a thick layer of mucus protects the stomach lining and keeps the acid on the inside, where it’s churned with your food.

When gastric acid sometimes leaks up into the esophagus, which lacks this mucus layer, you know that burning feeling as heartburn. Proton pump inhibitors are drugs you can take to temporarily reduce acid production and allow the esophagus to heal.

We’re seeing a lower incidence of gastric cancer these days, partly because our diet contains fewer foods that cause cancer (as refrigeration became widespread, we ate fewer smoked and cured meats).

We now also know that H. pylori can cause stomach cancer, but H. pylori are relatively easy to diagnose and treat.

If you want to boost the bacteria in your bowel, eat a high-fiber diet or take fiber supplements. Fiber is a prebiotic that the bacteria can convert to healthy chemicals for nourishment (that can also help prevent colon cancer).

Your digestive tract contains many beneficial bacteria, but taking a probiotic supplement (live or dried bacteria) is unlikely to give them a boost.

The reason is that these beneficial bacteria are mostly in your large intestine or bowel. Probiotic supplements will rarely survive the acid and churning of the stomach or the detergents and enzymes of the small intestine. 

Sometimes there’s simply no avoiding the need to take meds. But some — antibiotics especially — negatively impact the gut microbiome. So, speak to your doctor if you’re concerned about starting a new prescription

Fecal microbiota transplantation is a method of restoring beneficial bacteria in the colon. The only approved use for fecal transplantation is for someone infected with Clostridiodes difficile (or C. diff) that’s unresponsive to antibiotics. The procedure involves a colonoscopy and transplants feces from a healthy person into a sick person.

In the U.S., doctors completed the first fecal transplants for C. diff infections in 1958. But the practice dates back to 4th century China, where they used a fecal suspension called “yellow soup” to treat digestive problems.

Your liver uses cholesterol to make bile acids, and bile is the only way your body can get rid of excess cholesterol.

Your body also uses cholesterol to make sex hormones, like estrogen and testosterone. If you have liver disease, you’ll have trouble absorbing fats as well as hormonal problems.

But fats are chemically different from cholesterol; the body burns fats for energy. That’s why food labels list fat and cholesterol separately.

We used to think that stress caused sores in your stomach that doesn’t heal. We now know that prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®), or naproxen (Aleve®), can interfere with stomach mucus.

Ulcers result when stomach acid reaches the lining, and when they bleed they can cause pain and even be life-threatening.

A bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, also can cause ulcers. An Australian doctor proved this by drinking the bacteria himself, and he and his colleague won a Nobel prize for the discovery. 

Being a spiritual person is synonymous with being a person whose highest goal is to be loving to oneself and others. His/her conviction that we are all One, motivates him/her to work for everyone's welfare and stay away from any harmful activities.

One of the main things that spirituality does for people is it helps them live happier spiritual lives. When you have a solid connection to your spiritual side, it’s easier to stay positive and motivated, even when faced with obstacles or a negative experience. This can help you live life in a way that makes you happy and also positively impacts mental health. It enables you to experience more positive emotions and emotional regulation.

Spirituality involves the recognition of a feeling or sense or belief that there is something greater than myself, something more to being human than sensory experience, and that the greater whole of which we are part is cosmic or divine in nature.

Spirituality involves connecting with your inner self. It’s essential to take time for yourself and reflect on who you are as a person, what makes up your personality, and how these things impact the way others perceive you! This can be done through meditation or other spiritual practices like yoga or Tai Chi.
 

The relationship between spirituality and religion can be complicated. There are so many different religions today, and some of them have similar beliefs about God or an afterlife. Anyone can enjoy and benefit from spiritual practices, regardless of their religious beliefs (or lack thereof). The relationship between spirituality and religion is that religion is (hopefully) spiritual, but spirituality is not a religion (defined as a set of rules or dogma).

Another impact of spirituality is that it can help you live a healthier life. When you have a solid connection to your spiritual side, it gives you solace during tough times. It can help you make better decisions about your health and individual well-being, both physically and emotionally, and is a positive factor for mental health.

There are so many different ways to express your beliefs. Some people believe in God and go to church regularly or belong to a religious community. In contrast, others do not believe in God at all! Some people meditate. Others just focus more inside themselves rather than externally. And others are less egoistic and more altruistic.

Spirituality can also help you connect with other people. This is one of the reasons why many people find spirituality so beneficial! When you share your beliefs and values with others, it creates a sense of community and connection that is often missing in the world today. Realizing that everyone is a spiritual being and that this is the one thing we all have in common is the thread that connects us all.

Another impact of spirituality is to help you find inner peace. You’ll find it easier to stay at peace with yourself and the world around you no matter what is happening externally. You’ll feel a sense of calm as you turn inwards instead of outwards and your mind chatter slows down.

One of the main things that spirituality can do for you is to help you find meaning in life. When you know what your purpose is, it’s easier to stay on the right path and move forward with the design of a cosmic journey.

Anaximenes was the third Milesian amongst the Greek philosophers before Socrates. He was a student of Anaximander and was also a monist. Where Thales saw water and Anaximander the Apeiron, Anaximenes saw air, which he thought was the arche (beginning) of all things.

Daniel Peter, a Swiss chocolatier and entrepreneur, spent eight years attempting to perfect a milk chocolate formula. It wasn't until 1875 that he recognized condensed milk was the solution to all of his problems. We're delighted Daniel didn't give up!

Another etiquette guideline that struck me was the prohibition on covering your dishes with crumpled-up napkins and debris. That, according to our advisor, demonstrates a lack of regard for the restaurant workers and the meal they delivered. She recommended folding (or even tying a bow!) in our used napkins.

According to Italian studies, eating pizza daily can cut the chance of acquiring oesophageal cancer by 59%, mouth cancer by 34%, and colon cancer by 26%. (Of course, with many diet restrictions, take it with a grain of salt.)