January 09, 2017
Decades of research show that probiotics are good for your health – especially your digestive tract – but a new study shows that these beneficial live bacteria may also improve cognitive function in humans. In fact, probiotic supplementation may even benefit patients with Alzheimer’s disease. As many as 5.4 million people have Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the United States, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. AD is primarily associated with cognitive dysfunction but research shows an association between Alzheimer’s disease and metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Probiotics and the Gut-Brain Axis The gut-brain axis.... [Read More...]
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December 26, 2016
The holidays bring us so many warm treats. Hot mulled wine, warm apple cider, so why not add warm yogurt to your seasonal repertoire? Most people think of yogurt as a dish served cold – but you’d be surprised at the versatility that this staple brings to your table. Yogurt is an ancient functional food, rich in beneficial bacteria, and is super-easy to make at home to ensure maximum freshness and freedom from chemicals, sugars, and preservatives. It can be refrigerated for use whenever you need an extra creamy addition to your meal. Using Natren’s Yogurt Starter you can make.... [Read More...]
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December 19, 2016
Humans undergoing stress can experience gastrointestinal disturbances, such as upset stomach and loose stool. Many people now find relief from stress-related digestive problems by taking probiotics. Anxiety can also cause the same types of digestive upsets in dogs as it does in humans. Now scientists are looking into whether probiotics can help anxious dogs in the same way it helps anxious people. Stress and anxiety can cause a variety of health and behavioral problems that can significantly affect the well-being of your pet. Stress can cause diarrhea, for example, and anxiety can cause your furry friend to exhibit undesirable behavior.... [Read More...]
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December 05, 2016
Generations of people have been eating dried plums, also known as prunes, to prevent constipation. A new scientific study shows prunes can positively affect the bacteria living in the gut and may even reduce the risk of colon cancer. Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society, claiming an estimated 49,190 lives in 2016. While advanced treatments improve the likelihood of survival, prevention is key to lowering mortality rates. About the Bacteria Living in Your Intestines There are trillions of bacteria living in the.... [Read More...]
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November 28, 2016
Do probiotics have a role to play in weight management? With obesity on the rise, it’s a question researchers are taking seriously. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that one-third of adults in the U.S. are clinically obese and about 17 percent of children. Those are alarming statistics when you consider the health implications that come with being overweight. The medical community is scrambling for answers to the obesity epidemic. While it is still unclear the effect probiotics have on weight management, there is a new study that suggests the right microbes may have anti-obesity benefits. The Epidemic.... [Read More...]
The post Probiotics and Weight Management: A Promising New Study appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
November 21, 2016
The world is headed for an apocalypse but not the kind you see in sci-fi films. Scientists fear the rise in drug-resistant infections is becoming a global health problem. It may indicate a tipping point in the fight again drug-resistance – one that could return us to the age that existed before antibiotics. The medical industry changed the day pharmacologist Sir Alexander Fleming noticed that a fungus produced by the genus Penicillium killed off certain kinds of bacteria. Since that time, researchers have understood that evolution would render antibiotics ineffective at some point. Like all organisms, bacteria adapt to the.... [Read More...]
The post Hope in a World Full of Antibiotic Resistance – What You Don’t Know May Kill You appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
November 14, 2016
If you have ever felt butterflies in your stomach or experienced a queasy feeling, or even had a ‘gut feeling’, then you know that there is a real connection between your gut and your brain. Many refer to the gut as the body’s “second brain” because of the complicated network of nerves in the digestive tract. This network of nerves, known as the enteric nervous system (ENS), regulates digestion and sends messages to the brain regarding the status of the gastrointestinal tract. The ENS can also alter brain health, affecting your thoughts and feelings. Scientists have known about the connection.... [Read More...]
The post The Latest Research on the Gut-Brain Connection appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
November 07, 2016
You see it in the media all the time – superfoods. Unless food can wear a cape and leap tall buildings, the word has little technical meaning. It is a buzzword adopted to celebrate the health benefits of certain “super” foods, but it says little about healthy eating for the average nutrition-conscious consumer. While it is true that some foods are better choices for one reason or another, it’s overall diet that matters most to health. A balanced diet consists of lean protein, healthy carbohydrates and plenty of fruits and vegetables. If you can sprinkle in a handful of these.... [Read More...]
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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...]
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October 10, 2016
There is more to love about fall than changing leaves and spooky decorations, especially if you are a fan of all things orange and spicy – as in pumpkin spice. Nutrition experts will tell you that pumpkin season is truly a time to celebrate. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie and even delicacies like pumpkin seeds come packed with nutritious goodness. The versatility of the pumpkin makes you wonder why we only celebrate it once a year, especially since it is grown on every continent in the world except Antarctica. The U.S. alone produces 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins each year. For.... [Read More...]
The post Pumpkin Everything!! Eat up These Healthy Pumpkin Facts appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
October 03, 2016
With fall comes Halloween candy and Thanksgiving Day desserts, and then soon after it’s the season of holiday cookies and New Years Eve smorgasbords – does all this add up to extra pounds during the winter months? While it is true most people do see the number on the scale rise thanks to binge eating during the holidays, it’s not the five or 10 pounds you might think. What is the real story behind winter weight gain and what can you do about it? What You Need to Know About Obesity Americans are overweight and it’s not all about winter.... [Read More...]
The post Do Americans Really Pack on the Pounds During the Winter? And What You Can Do About It appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
September 26, 2016
Did you know that your gut is an ecosystem for bacteria? It’s a concept that can get lost when consumers consider the benefits of probiotics. More is not really the point of a successful ecosystem – balance is the objective. When living organisms compete for resources, they must fight to survive. In science, this is known as antagonistic – two or more species fight to thrive in one ecosystem. Bacteria are naturally antagonistic, so when placed in the same system they don’t play well together. What happens when bacteria don’t get along? The Problem with Multi-Strain Products If you were.... [Read More...]
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September 19, 2016
You probably already understand how important gut microbiota is to your overall health. It is a topic frequently discussed by the media and also by us here at Natren. Microbial diversity is a factor in many common disease processes and weight management but how do you get there? Eating a balanced and nutritional diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains helps, but is it enough? What about the stuff you eat and drink just for the pleasure of it like coffee, tea or chocolate? Are they taboo in a healthy diet? The answer to these questions may surprise.... [Read More...]
The post Red Wine and Dark Chocolate? Yes, Please! 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...]
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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...]
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August 29, 2016
It’s all in the gut or that is what medical science is starting to realize. Every person on this planet hosts a unique and diverse community of microbes known as the gut microbiota. One of the most important discoveries made in medical science is how critical the gut microbiota is to health. That understanding has revolutionized how scientists see disease progression and outcomes. What you don’t have in your gut is just as important as what you do. Recent studies suggest that lack of diversity may impact everything from weight to your risk of chronic illness. It’s still unclear how.... [Read More...]
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