June 18, 2017
On Father’s Day, when you spend time thinking about all dad brings to the family, consider one more fact: paternal health is critical to having a healthy baby. As a society, we tend to see mom as the primary focus in the health of a developing fetus, especially when it comes to nutritional factors like vitamin D intake, but studies show that dad’s health plays a significant role, as well. Dad’s vitamin D status prior to conception may contribute to having a baby that develops into a strong and fit child. What You Should Know About Vitamin D Vitamin D,.... [Read More...]
The post Dad’s Health Can Impact Babies Too appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
May 15, 2017
The world we live in literally thrives thanks to bacteria. Human beings must have carbon, nitrogen, the ability to fight off disease and digestion to survive – all things that rely on microorganisms. Besides recycling organic matter to create carbon and nitrogen, bacteria on the skin work as an army to keep out dangerous pathogens and, internally, they break food down into the nutritional units used to sustain major systems. What about babies, though? At what point do bacteria become a life-saving force for their little bodies? Does that happen at birth or are microbes essential for development, too? Ten.... [Read More...]
The post How Mom’s Pass Bacteria to Their Babies appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
April 10, 2017
You are an influential person in some child’s life, but that goes further than just setting financial goals and inspiring academic success. Children take their cues about everything from the adults they admire, so put yours on a healthy lifestyle path, too. In a world that promotes supersizing and fast food, teach this child to see things from a wellness standpoint. The diet and exercise smart kid will grow into an adult who passes on healthy habits to themselves and the next generation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that obesity rates for children have tripled in the.... [Read More...]
The post Are You a Healthy Role Model? appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
March 20, 2017
Serious health problems are common in infants who suffer from low birth weight. Beneficial bacteria, known as probiotics, may help these tiny patients. Now a new study sheds light on the benefits of probiotics on infants with very low birth weights. About 7.9 percent of babies were born at a low birth weight in 2012, and 1.42 percent were born at a very low birth weight (VLBW) of 3 pounds, 3 ounces or less. Infants born at low birth weight are more likely to experience serious health problems, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Babies who.... [Read More...]
The post Probiotics for Preterm Infants: Beneficial Bacteria for the Smallest of Newborn appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
October 24, 2016
Halloween is a sweet time of year, no doubt, but what are you going to do with all that candy? You want your kids to have fun this season and candy is part of that, but it is also a good time to teach them about eating responsibly and paying attention to their health. As with most things, good planning and a little moderation are key. Think ahead and find ways to manage the candy overload, so everyone has a good time this Halloween. Schedule Your Trick or Treating Right Getting your child ready to go out and trick or.... [Read More...]
The post Tips for Dealing With All That Halloween Candy appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
September 12, 2016
The excitement builds as a new school year approaches, but whether you’re a teacher, parent or student, there is bound to be some stress, too. You don’t have to let that anxiety turn into full-blown back-to-school blues. Take a minute or two as the summer vacation ends to find ways to reduce stress and increase the fun factor. Consider five ways you might improve moods as school opens back up. 1. What Made This Summer Special? Reflecting on the memories you made this summer is one way to appreciate them as you head back to school. Make it a celebration.... [Read More...]
The post 5 Tips to Manage the Back-to-School Blues appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
September 06, 2016
It’s back-to-school time once again! While most parents are rejoicing the return of normality to the household, there is the small matter of lunches, snack-time, and after-school treats – how do you keep the kids happy with healthy snacks, and keep it fresh & interesting for them? No surprise, we’re big fans of yogurt here at Natren – not least because for centuries it has been a healthy, functional food, offering a natural way to get some beneficial bacteria in the digestive system. We’ve put together a selection of healthy yogurt-based snack ideas on our Pinterest board for inspiration, and.... [Read More...]
The post Fun and Healthy Yogurt-Based Snacks for Back-to School! appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
July 20, 2016
School is out and the kids are home and hungry, what are you going to feed them? You want your kids to have a healthy relationship with food, but you also want them to enjoy life. The USDA dietary guidelines suggest half of their plates be filled with colorful fruits and vegetables, and that can lead to mealtime battles and lots of tears. Your job is to teach them that fruits and vegetables are just as fun as burgers and fries. The obsession with healthy eating starts at a young age and lasts a lifetime. You can encourage that progression.... [Read More...]
The post Fun Ways to Introduce More Fruits & Veggies to Your Kids appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
July 11, 2016
Vaginal seeding, a controversial new trend in childbirth, may help restore “good bacteria” in babies born by Caesarean section. Babies born vaginally have higher amounts of good bacteria which some scientists believe help protect babies from developing certain diseases when they grow older. Now some researchers are investigating methods to transfer a mother’s microbiota to her baby if it’s born by Caesarian. Caesarean section is now the most common operating room procedure in the United States, according to a February 2014 release from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Doctors deliver nearly one-third of all babies by Caesarian,.... [Read More...]
The post Caesarean Born Infants and “Vaginal Seeding” appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
May 23, 2016
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 11% of children 4-17 years of age (6.4 million) have been diagnosed with ADHD as of 2011 with rates of ADHD diagnosis increasing an average of 5% per year between 2003 and 2011. The condition has no racial or socioeconomic bias as it is reported in all ethnic groups. The statistics for other autism spectrum disorders including Asperger syndrome (AS) are just as grim. A new study brings hope for parents with newborns. Probiotics given early in life may be the answer to avoiding neuropsychiatric disorders like ADHD and AS later.... [Read More...]
The post New Research Shows Probiotics Early in Life May Reduce Asperger’s and ADHD Development Later in Childhood appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
May 02, 2016
Whenever we learn of exciting new research on the gut microbiota, it reminds us of the work we do every day, and particularly the positive impact that probiotics have both in the animal kingdom, and mankind. Some of the most interesting research involves the communication between the human brain and our gut. These latest findings offer new perspectives on how we may be able to improve our physical and psychological well being through early childhood physical activity. Seizing the Window of Opportunity A recent study on the gut-brain connection, conducted at University of Boulder, is particularly interesting since it demonstrates that.... [Read More...]
The post Starting an Exercise Program Early in Life Shows Benefits to Gut, Brain and Metabolic Health appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
April 11, 2016
Your diet choices today could affect members of your family who have not even been born yet. A recent study suggests that, while changing your diet today can help your body recover, a poor diet over the course of several generations can forever alter the digestive tract of your descendants within three or four generations. This means your great-grandchildren can suffer negative effects from what you eat today. Results from a Stanford University School of Medicine study suggest low-fiber diets, like those commonly consumed in the United States and other industrial societies, can result in health problems that you can.... [Read More...]
The post Can Your Future Children be Affected by Your Diet Choices Today? appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
December 15, 2015
A few weeks ago, an exciting new study was published in Journal of the American Medical Association how infants at risk for Type 1 diabetes may benefit from early probiotics supplementation. The results are preliminary, but groundbreaking nevertheless. Type 1 diabetes, unlike type 2 diabetes, is an autoimmune disease that develops when the body’s immune system mistakenly destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This leaves the body without insufficient insulin to meet its needs. Insulin is a hormone that helps cells use sugar from foods as fuel. It’s unclear what triggers Type 1 diabetes, whether it’s genetic or environmental,.... [Read More...]
The post Infants at Risk of Type I Diabetes May Benefit from Early Probiotics appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
September 14, 2015
A Guide to Natren’s Probiotics for the Entire Family The long, lazy days of summer are over, and the kids are back in school – phew! However, the celebration is short-lived – along with bringing home a pile of homework they’re more than likely going to be bringing home a few unwanted germs too. All it takes is one cough or sneeze in the classroom, and before long everyone in the household is feeling under the weather. Kids are exposed to a number of germs and bugs every day, and unfortunately, getting sick when they’re young is part of the.... [Read More...]
The post When Your Kids Are Bringing Home More Than Homework appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
May 25, 2015
You are surrounded by an ocean of bacteria. In fact, a host of diverse bacteria make their home inside your intestinal tract. Fortunately, many of these species of bacteria are “friendly”, meaning they provide health benefits to the host. What’s interesting is bacteria take up residence in the human gut very early in life, before a baby even enters the world. In fact, one of the baby’s first encounters with bacteria is when it passes through mom’s birth canal and becomes colonized with bacteria from her reproductive tract. The bacteria a baby is exposed to during passage through the birth.... [Read More...]
The post Infants and Probiotics appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
April 20, 2015
Natren is pleased to announce the latest addition to its Life Start line of infant probiotics. Life Start Vegan is a unique dairy free probiotic powder for infants, toddlers, expectant and nursing mothers containing the vitally important strain of bacteria – Bifidobacterium infantis. Over the years, the health food industry has seen an increased demand for dairy free probiotics for sensitive infants and children. Supplementing with Natren’s Life Start Vegan provides infants with that first line of defense for their tiny, immature gastrointestinal tract, ensuring them with the best start to a long and healthy life. Natren has selected this unique.... [Read More...]
The post Introducing Natren Life Start Vegan Probiotic for Infants and Expectant Mothers appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
