December 15, 2014
The holidays are a wonderful time of the year not only to enjoy the traditional meals, treats, and specialty dishes with your family, friends, and colleagues, but also to try brand new recipes. If you’re going to consume mass quantities of food this holiday season, why not make them healthy ones! Here’s a look at some traditional holiday ingredients that can instantly become the focal point of new healthy food surprises this season. Cranberries Cranberries are an absolute essential during the holidays, but the best part of these delectable berries isn’t even the delicious taste they bring to your table,.... [Read More...]
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December 08, 2014
As winter sets in and the temperatures dip, exposure to the elements starts to take a toll on your skin – especially if you live in some of the colder, drier areas of the country. Colder weather means less humidity, so the air dries your skin and suddenly your lips are cracking and your cheeks are chapped. Staying inside doesn’t help either because indoor heaters only add to the dryness. So, how do you take care of your skin and keep that healthy glow all year round? Here are a few ways to help protect your natural exterior from the.... [Read More...]
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November 24, 2014
When we think of Thanksgiving, some of the thoughts that comes to mind are good food, family, thankfulness, and togetherness. But, sometimes that togetherness can be a bit uncomfortable if you are prone to flatulence after the Thanksgiving meal. Follow the Natren holiday survival strategy so you don’t become a toxic guest on this glorious holiday? It goes without saying that most of us tend to overindulge and overeat at Thanksgiving. It’s hard not to when you’re looking at a full table spread of comfort foods like turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, casseroles, and pie. That football game marathon won’t be.... [Read More...]
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November 17, 2014
As summer draws to a close and autumn bathes the great outdoors in color, most people start thinking about the holidays. Although the holidays are a time of cheer, they’re stressful for a number of people. Too many things to do and too little time to do them. As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, the “winter blues” set in. Plus, we let our healthy lifestyle habits slip a bit and indulge in more holiday goodies! Believe it or not, a healthy gut plays a role in helping you maintain a sunny disposition during the cold winter months,.... [Read More...]
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November 10, 2014
Everything we do at Natren we do because we care. Our probiotics aren’t just good, they’re the best. Yes, we’re a little biased because we started on this journey nearly 4 decades ago and pioneered the probiotic bandwagon not only here in the U.S. but across the globe. In fact, if you could string together every Healthy Trinity capsule that we’ve manufactured, we’re certain we’d encircle the globe many times over. Yes, we know that Natren probiotics are very different from ordinary probiotics, and we’re definitely making every effort to stand out from the rest. We also know how important.... [Read More...]
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November 03, 2014
On the surface, artificial sweeteners may seem like the perfect fix. Zero calories equals zero guilt right? Well, that’s not how your body and gut see it. These artificial sweeteners may have no calories, but they do have a profound effect on your digestive system – and not in a good way. Artificial sweeteners – like saccharin, sucralose, and aspartame – pass through the body without being digested or absorbed. That’s why food and drinks containing these chemicals are able to claim zero calories. The body may not digest or absorb the artificial sweeteners, but that doesn’t mean they don’t.... [Read More...]
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October 27, 2014
When your doctor takes a blood sample, one of the things they usually test is your blood sugar level to make sure your body is correctly regulating the amount of glucose in your bloodstream. Usually, most doctors will require that you fast before a blood test because when you haven’t eaten anything for a few hours, your blood sugar usually falls within a narrow range, thanks to a hormone called insulin that regulates it. Doctors will use the fasting blood test to establish a baseline to determine if the amount of glucose in your bloodstream is within normal limits. When.... [Read More...]
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October 20, 2014
Life is hectic. We are all stretched thin from work, family, and keeping up a healthy lifestyle. At the end of the day, we are often left wondering where our energy has gone. We end up reaching for stimulants and other products to help us get through the day, but is that the best method? There could be a better, longer lasting way to boost energy. The human body is actually built to produce energy. We just need to give it the tools it needs to produce energy so that we can live life to the fullest. Natural Sources of.... [Read More...]
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October 13, 2014
We obviously talk a lot about probiotics here because probiotics are ALL that we do. But what exactly are probiotics anyway? To start, it helps to understand that the world is populated by billions and billions of tiny microbes – or microscopic organisms. These microbes make up a large majority of larger life forms and have symbiotic relationships with plants, animals, and humans. Symbiotic literally means “together living” or a close and mutually beneficial relationship between two different species, in this case bacteria and humans. There are actually 10 times more bacteria living on and within the human body than.... [Read More...]
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October 06, 2014
“Superfood” is one of those buzzwords you’ve likely heard recently. On the bare bones level, a superfood is a food that offers multiple health benefits when consumed. Integrating these foods into an overall healthy diet can be valuable to anyone looking for an extra boost. While the list of so-called superfoods is growing, there are a few staples that are readily available, offer a host of benefits and that most people will enjoy. Here are five superfoods to try and the benefits they offer: 1. Kale Kale is experiencing a renaissance currently. What used to be used to line the.... [Read More...]
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September 29, 2014
We talk a lot about the gut microbiota, but what exactly is it? Understanding what the microbiota are, and how they play a role in your overall health will offer insight into why it’s so necessary to protect their delicate balance in our digestive systems. Microbiota simply defined are, “the microorganisms of a particular site, habitat, or geological period.” Microorganisms include bacteria, fungi, protozoa and even some algae, but in the case of the human gut, these microorganisms are mostly bacteria. Role of Microbiota in the Gut Our microbiota build communities within our digestive system. Scientists are still learning more.... [Read More...]
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September 22, 2014
As the weather changes, it can start to really affect your mood. For some people, the lack of sunlight and increased time inside can spark a deeper issue than just the winter blues. A depression sparked by the season is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – sometimes referred to as seasonal depression. Symptoms of SAD include: Depression Hopelessness Anxiety Loss of energy Heavy, “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs Social withdrawal Oversleeping Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates Weight gain Difficulty concentrating SAD can affect anyone, but.... [Read More...]
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September 15, 2014
School is back in session and that means your children will once again be exposed to more germs. Being around more people means more contact with airborne and touch transmitted germs and infections. There’s little you can do about the increase in germs around kids, but there are a few things that can help lessen the risk of germ-induced sickness. The best place to encourage healthy hygiene habits is at home. Explain to your kids how germs can make them sick and why they need to protect themselves through habits like hand washing. A fun learning trick one kindergarten teacher.... [Read More...]
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September 08, 2014
Probiotics dispel the notion that all bacteria are bad – the human gut is a sanctuary for trillions of friendly bacteria. In fact, evidence is growing that gut friendly bacteria can relieve some of the intestinal symptoms that kids commonly experience. Almost every child will experience occasional tummy upset at some point during their childhood. Probiotics help restore intestinal balance by populating a child’s gut with “friendly” gut bacteria. Research has focused on whether strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium play a role in digestive and immune health. Some studies suggest these probiotic strains may reduce the frequency and shorten the.... [Read More...]
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August 25, 2014
Just like every other system in the body, our digestive system changes as we age. Our digestive system, and therefore our natural defenses, becomes more susceptible to changes in our diet, environment, and medication as we enter our golden years. Up to 40% of older adults have one or more age-related digestive symptom each year. Problems like bowel inactivity and occasional acid reflux are all more common in older adults and previous research has shown that around age 60, there is a significant drop in the number of probiotic beneficial bacteria, specifically bifidobacteria in the gut. Because the digestive system is.... [Read More...]
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August 18, 2014
Hydration is important – especially as we experience the hottest months of the year. There’s no argument that everyone should be drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated, but is all water created equally? We have been conditioned to believe that bottled water is more pure, tastes better, and is all-round healthier for us, but are there any facts to back this claim up? Or is this just marketing tactics by water bottling companies? Read on and judge for yourself. In recent years, several studies have been released proving that bottled water may not be everything that it is claimed.... [Read More...]
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