Sodium is an essential mineral that performs vital functions in the body. Sodium plays a major role in fluid balance in the body.1 Sodium balance is necessary because excess sodium leads to extra water retention in the body, which may be problematic for those with high blood pressure and heart disease. In such patients, sodium […]
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A clear liquid diet is a special diet that consists of clear fluids such as broth, plant gelatin, and water that are easily absorbed, leaving no undigested residues in the intestine. Your physician may prescribe you a clear liquid diet before certain medical procedures(1) such as a colonoscopy study, or in certain GI tract diseases
[1] Dysphagia is a term that means difficulty swallowing food and/or liquids properly. The diet for dysphagia involves five various levels of difficulty in swallowing, which we will detail below. It is crucial to know the process of swallowing to understand dysphagia. First and foremost, it is important for all individuals to chew food slowly
Gastric bypass is a common surgery for weight loss in which the size of the stomach is reduced1. Surgery can reduce the stomach size from one quart to one ounce2. Due to such a drastic reduction in size, gastric bypass can result in sudden weight loss, as patients often experience loss of appetite. Dietary management
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Probiotics are bacteria and yeast supplements that benefit the digestive tract.1 Bacteria are usually seen in a negative light as something that makes us sick. However, not all types of bacteria cause illness in the body. Probiotics are good bacteria that help keep the gut healthy and safe. Apart from a healthy gut, probiotics fight
Primary biliary cholangitis, formerly called primary biliary cirrhosis, is any damage to the bile ducts in the liver.1 Bile ducts are small channels carrying bile from the liver to the small intestine. In the intestine, the bile helps digest fats through emulsification. Bile also helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. If
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Prebiotics are dietary fibers that are good for the beneficial bacteria residing inside the body. You might think of bacteria as a bad thing but not all bacteria cause disease; some are quite helpful to the human body.1 Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria and yeast present in the body. One can take probiotic supplements. Prebiotics
Peptic ulcers are sores that develop inside the stomach lining and in the upper portion of the small intestine. Stomach pain is the most common symptom of peptic ulcers.1 Types of Peptic Ulcers Peptic ulcers are of three types: Gastric ulcer: Most common type, occurs inside the stomach lining Duodenal ulcer: Occurs inside the upper
Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the body cannot digest lactose properly. Lactose is primarily a milk sugar that can be found in many dairy products. Enzymes break down lactose in the intestinal tract, but when these enzymes cannot perform this function properly, the result is cramping, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. The enzyme involved
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Irritable bowel syndrome is a serious condition that affects the large intestine mostly, especially the colon. It is also known as spastic colon, spastic colitis, mucous colitis, and nervous or functional bowel. The colon mainly performs two functions in the body. Firstly, it softens the stool, and secondly, it helps in propelling the stool from
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