Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes sores in the large intestine or rectum. The common symptoms are diarrhea with blood, rectal pain, and weight loss. This condition is not curable, but specific treatments help long-term remission and reduce symptoms significantly. Along with treatments, a doctor may also suggest supplements or foods rich in probiotics. Learn how probiotics affect ulcerative colitis here. 1. How probiotics help ulcerative colitis Probiotics are organisms that help improve the production of good bacteria in the gut. This helps balance the bad bacteria and good bacteria and keeps the gut healthy. It helps lower inflammation and soothes ulcerative colitis symptoms. Probiotics are usually taken orally, but the effects are much more significant if taken rectally. Before taking any probiotic supplements, one should talk to a doctor to ensure that it doesn’t interfere with other treatments. 2. How probiotics help flare-ups Probiotics do not shorten the duration of a flare-up but do reduce the severity of symptoms. Moreover, it also helps reduce the number of occurrences of a flare-up. 3. Foods that are good sources of probiotics Yogurt Undoubtedly, yogurt is one of the healthiest and most readily available probiotic foods out there. It helps balance the good and bad bacteria in the gut, soothe and help manage symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is produced in the liver. This substance helps the body build cells, produce vitamins, and even balance hormones. There are two types of cholesterol- good and bad. Too much bad cholesterol in the body can lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases. In this article, we shall discuss four foods that can help in lowering bad cholesterol in the body. 1. Oats Oats make for a great meal option when it comes to tackling bad cholesterol in the body. This is simply because oats are rich in soluble fibers. Soluble fibers help prevent the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract. Oats are also a healthy meal choice in general due to their high nutritional value. Those who suffer from cholesterol can try opting for a bowl of oatmeal or oatmeal-based cereal for breakfast. 2. Whole grains There is a lot of research that proves the link between whole grains and a lower risk of heart conditions. Whole grains are much more nutritious than refined grains. They have high levels of minerals, vitamins, and soluble fibers compared to refined grain. Studies have shown that eating three servings of whole grains can reduce the risk of developing heart-related conditions by almost 20%.

Herbs have been used as medicinal plants for centuries as home remedies to treat certain ailments. However, along with curing, some herbs help manage and even prevent some symptoms of illnesses that become difficult to manage. Most of these medicinal plants focus on improving the immunity of the body to prevent it from falling ill. Let’s take a look at some of these antiviral herbs that are great for the immune system. 1. Basil According to a study, compounds like apigenin and ursolic acid found in sweet basil extracts are known to prevent and fight off viruses like herpes, enterovirus, and hepatitis B. Holy basil, a prominent household herb in certain countries, has been known to have remarkable immunity-boosting properties that help the body stay healthy. The study also noted an increase of helper T cells in the body with the consumption of holy basil, which led to a healthier immune system. 2. Turmeric This herb has been studied for years and years, thanks to its incredible medicinal properties. The curcumin in turmeric is one of the main compounds that help fight off infections and viruses, keeping the immunity strong. According to some tests done on viruses like Zika and chikungunya, it was noted that curcumin did not allow for the virus to replicate at the cellular level, reducing its infection rate.