Do PPIs inhibit the gut microbiome? Physicians widely prescribe proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to treat and prevent symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcer disease. PPIs inhibit gastric acid secretion, resulting in reduced acid in the stomach (hypochlorhydria). While low acid provides an opportunity for injured mucosa in the upper GI tract [...]
Ostomy Belts Question: I have seen belts for ostomy pouches in the retail stores. I am not sure if I need one. How would I know? Answer: Ostomy belts come under the category of “accessories” for ostomy products. A belt may be a feature that you require for your care, or it may be completely [...]
Watch our Video on Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Therapeutic Drug Monitoring The Goldilocks Story Over time, the science of medicine has grown into a complex art. Laboratory testing provides useful information for physicians when monitoring the body’s state through body fluid analysis. Now, tests exist to measure the amount of some medications that are circulating in [...]
Everything in moderation? Focusing on ultra-processed foods We all know what processed foods are, but what about ultra-processed foods? It doesn’t take too long to find them at the grocery store; all you need to do is read the ingredient list on a packaged food item. If you wouldn’t use these ingredients for cooking at [...]
Medications for IBD (Crohn's and Colitis) Video Featuring Alan Low, BSc. (Pharm.), Pharm. D., RPh, ACPR, FCSHP, CCD Clinical Associate Professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UBC Primary Care Pharmacist and Pharmacy Lead, BioPro Biologics Pharmacy biopropharmacy.ca Video Transcript If you have inflammatory bowel disease, often shortened as IBD, you might [...]
Andrew Wakefield’s Harmful Myth of Vaccine-induced “Autistic Entercolitis” On January 5, 2011, The British Medical Journal declared fraudulent the published medical study that launched a global vaccine scare.1 How the MMR Vaccine Scare Began In 1998, a major medical journal based in the UK, The Lancet, published a report2 headed by Andrew Wakefield, who was [...]
Q & A with Diamond Rings A Rising Musical Talent & Inspiring Canadian Gem With infectious positive energy and a drive to follow his dreams, John O’Regan (AKA Diamond Rings) is an inspiration, particularly for anyone living with a chronic condition such as Crohn’s disease. Commonly diagnosed in youth, Crohn’s is a type of inflammatory [...]
IBD Research and Treatment: Canada’s Fame and Shame Patients, Advocates and The Cameron Institute, issue call for equal access to IBD treatments CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO (September 12, 2017) – Approximately 233,000 Canadians know how it feels to wake up every day with IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), which includes Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis – painful autoimmune [...]
Plant-Based Low FODMAP Diet Plant-based diet What do oranges, almonds, basil, and olives all have in common? They’re all plants. This article will discuss what a plant-based diet is, how to eat a plant-based low FODMAP diet, and practical tips and strategies to get more plants into your diet, whether you’re following a low FODMAP [...]
Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach to Treating Long COVID This is my personal experience managing patients with long COVID, or post-COVID syndrome, as a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor. As if getting sick with COVID-19 wasn’t bad enough, some people continue to suffer symptoms more than a month after their infection, earning the unwanted label of long-hauler. [...]
Paying for Healthcare in Canada Canada’s healthcare system is popularly known as ‘free’ among global audiences. It is universal coverage for medically necessary healthcare services provided on the basis of need, rather than the ability to pay. However, we have a myriad of systems and they aren’t truly free. To capture a high-level picture of [...]
COVID-19 Variants Genetic variations of viruses, such as the one that causes COVID-19, are common and expected. Viruses mutate as they reproduce in the body. These changes to the genetic material of the virus can create newer versions of viruses that differ substantially from the original, known as variants. Scientists use methods such as genetic sequencing [...]
IBD Unmasked Recognizing the heroic journey of people living with IBD We are proud to support the Canadian launch of IBD Unmasked, a first-of-its kind global awareness initiative developed though a unique collaboration between Takeda and the creative geniuses at Marvel Custom Solutions to support and empower the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) community. This unique [...]
Resources for Healthcare Professionals Free Printable PDFs We have PDFs available for many of our core topics. Click here+ Order Free Bulk Pamphlets Health care professionals and individuals can order up to 200 of each of our free patient information pamphlets. Click here + [...]
Healthy Digestion Click here for a PDF of this infograph to learn about healthy digestion. The digestive system consists of a long tube (alimentary canal) that varies in shape and purpose as it winds its way through the body from the mouth to the anus. The size and shape of the digestive tract varies in [...]
Intolerant to Dairy? You Might Tolerate A2 Milk I remember a time when there was only one milk to choose from in the grocery store, regular cow’s milk. Yes, there were different percentages of fat, and maybe some lactose-free options, but that was it. Now, there is an abundance of milk and milk alternatives to [...]
Inside Affair 2023 After a hiatus of in-person events during the pandemic, we were delighted to host an Inside Affair in Vancouver and another in Toronto. Each event included a lively reception, speaker presentations and/or panel discussions, a meal, and time to connect with a variety of stakeholders to exchange ideas and move healthcare [...]
Colorectal Cancer Screening The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, federal Minister of Health recently said, “While colon cancer is highly treatable if caught early, it is still currently the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada. We can help change that by encouraging our friends and family over age 50 to speak to their doctors about [...]
Dietary Recommendations for Nutrition-Related Anemia Nutrition-related anemia can occur due to the inadequate intake and malabsorption of certain vitamins and minerals, including iron, vitamin B12, folate, and copper. The most common form of nutrition-related anemia is iron-deficiency anemia, particularly among women of child-bearing age, vegans and vegetarians, and people with malabsorption (e.g., gastric surgery, short [...]
Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Tips From Our Support Groups The underlying cause of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not known at present. While food choice doesn’t induce IBD, it can affect some disease symptoms, so it does matter what you eat. If you’re affected by IBD, aim to become knowledgeable and ‘nutritionally’ fit. Since [...]
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