Over-the-counter and prescription nonsteroidal anti-in­flammatory drug (NSAID) medications like ibuprofen and aspirin are frequently used for joint and spine-related in­flammatory pain. Most NSAIDs work by reversibly inhib­iting the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2, the enzymes that produce proinflammatory prostaglandins (PGs). PGs are hormonelike substances with diverse roles in the human body, principally the processes...

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As a kid, my father always emphasized the importance of sleep. Little did I know, as I hid under my blankets, reading a novel with a flashlight, that I was weakening my immune system. The last few decades of research has revealed that sleep supports our immune systems, playing a crucial role in both innate...

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“Our bodies are spaceships for mi­crobes” is Dr. Allen-Vercoe’s micro­biology lab motto at the University of Guelph. Amusing, yet completely on point. If earth is a rock hurtling through space harboring an extensive network of ecosystems, we can think of ourselves as a microcosm of the same phenom­ena. A single human body carries 39 trillion...

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“FMT differs from other IBD therapeutics as the intended outcome for treatment is to ultimately cure IBD.” Everyone has heard of kidney, heart, or other organ transplantations but many people may be surprised to discover that transplanting intestinal microbes is emerging as a promising new treatment option for sever­al gastrointestinal, metabolic, and neurological disorders. Microbes...

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People often experience “butterflies in their stomach” or a “gut-wrenching” feeling in the face of stressful situations, but what does this entail? Is it just our imagination, or can the gut be communicating with us?   Figuratively speaking, our gut may indeed have a brain of its own! In addition to our central nervous system (CNS),...

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A hot topic nowadays is discussions surrounding the microbes in our gut and the numerous health benefits they provide. What isn’t as frequently discussed, however, is how gut microbial composition can impact an individual’s response to cancer treatments.    Considered an important scientific breakthrough, immunotherapy acts to stimulate the body’s immune system to recognize and kill...

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“I am on a diet.” is probably one of the most commonly heard sentences these days. With or without a specific aim in mind, most of us have tried to be on a particular “diet” regimen. Diets, in nutrition, are defined as the sum of food consumed by a person. Nowadays, it often implies the...

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Being sedentary and consuming fast food are habits that have stealthily entered our fast-paced Western lifestyles and are common contributors to obesity. In response, most of us have either aimed to become healthier or at least known someone who has pursued this goal for themselves. Technological and social advancements have increased our risk of developing...

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People often experience “butterflies in their stomach” or a “gut-wrenching” feeling in the face of stressful situations, but what does this entail? Is it just our imagination, or can the gut be communicating with us? Figuratively speaking, our gut may indeed have a brain of its own! In addition to our central nervous system (CNS),...

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For many people, nutritional supplements are a regular part of their diet. In 2015, over 45% of Canadians reported taking at least one type of nutritional supplement, including but not limited to vitamins, minerals, fibres, and fish oils. In general, nutritional supplements are defined as any substance consumed in addition to normal food that is...

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