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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August 11, 2014
If you suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) problems, you’re not alone. GI issues affect up to 20% of the population and are more common in women. The symptoms vary from mild and manageable to life disruptive. Despite the inconvenience of having these symptoms, they are generally not life threatening, and in many cases can be reduced by diet and probiotics. Some concerns of gastrointestinal problems include occasional gas, bloating, cramping, constipation and loose stool, and they can be triggered by, or worsened by, stress and dietary factors. Stress is a factor you don’t have complete control over, BUT you do have.... [Read More...]
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August 04, 2014
It’s no secret that breastfeeding provides a whole range of benefits for both the baby and mom. In honor of National Breastfeeding Month this month, we explore the link between breastfeeding and a baby’s digestive health and development. Through scientific research, we now understand that breastfeeding can have a tremendously positive impact on a baby’s digestive system – particularly if the mother is aware of how her diet and supplements affect the breast milk. In the early stages of life, babies are heavily dependent on their mother to populate their digestive system with beneficial bacteria to build healthy gut flora..... [Read More...]
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July 28, 2014
Humans need to eat – of that there is no doubt. Through the ages, we have evolved from hunter-gatherers to consumers, with a migration away from subsistence and farming our own foods, to a dependence on others to provide our nourishment. For the most part, this has worked well and has allowed our society to evolve – except for one important fact: We have lost control of the food chain to major corporations, whose interests may not completely align to ours. Food for People and Profit The main reason that artificial agricultural chemicals and GMO crops were developed was to.... [Read More...]
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July 22, 2014
Probiotics have become one of the more fashionable buzzwords in the healthy living community – and for good reason. True probiotics offer a host of notable benefits, particularly for healthy digestion and strong natural defenses. Lately though, many consumer products are boasting the label of “probiotics” without being rooted in fact or function. A true probiotic is a living bacterial culture that has been identified by scientific research to provide health benefits. As well as being alive and active, a product must contain a certain amount of probiotics to be effective, and those bacteria strains have to be the right.... [Read More...]
The post Probiotics, Household Products, and Snake Oil appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
July 14, 2014
There’s a lot to think about when you’re trying to become pregnant. Probably the last thing on your list of priorities is seeing your dentist – but maybe you should reconsider. An interesting body of research finds a link between bacteria that live in the mouth of a mom-to-be and a higher risk for pre-term delivery. It might seem farfetched that mouth bacteria could have any effect on pregnancy but some research suggests otherwise. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Children’s Hospital have been busy sequencing the genes of bacteria from the placentas of babies born at full-time and.... [Read More...]
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July 07, 2014
There is no doubt that a healthy diet and plenty of exercise will help you lose weight – both in terms of calories in vs calories out, and the nutritional value of your food. But did you know that the type and variety of bacteria in your gut plays a huge part in the effectiveness of any weight loss plan? Scientists have discovered links between the diversity of the bacteria in the gut of athletes, compared to control groups of non-athletes of both low BMI (Body Mass Index) and high BMI. Generally speaking, a higher BMI equals more fat. They.... [Read More...]
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June 23, 2014
A 2012 survey about men and how they handle their health shows 63% of men see their doctor when they have “prolonged, severe pain.” At the same time, most of the men surveyed said they wanted to live a long life and stay healthy well into their eighties. Over a third of the men surveyed said they visited a doctor only after their significant other pressured them to do so. Obviously, men WANT to be healthy but aren’t always taking the necessary steps to stay that way. You’ve heard the old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound.... [Read More...]
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June 14, 2014
Father’s Day is a chance to show gratitude to dear old Dad. Where would you be without him? It’s a time to sit back and think about all your father has done for you over the years and what he means to you. Chances are your dad was a provider and a protector that the family looked to for guidance and support. Times have changed and your dad may not fit the mold of “Leave it to Beaver” dads of the past who wore a tie and a hat to work, worked a nine to five job and then sat.... [Read More...]
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June 09, 2014
It’s easy to read the label of a product and find out what’s in it – whether it contains additives or preservatives – but if you want to know whether the ingredients have been genetically engineered, you’re out of luck. There’s currently no labeling requirement for products made with genetically-modified ingredients, or GMOs. Genetically modified organisms are animals or plants that have had their DNA, the genetic material that codes for their most fundamental characteristics, altered. What’s the purpose? To produce plants and organisms with some survival, yield or nutritional advantage – resistance to pesticides for example. GMOs aren’t proven.... [Read More...]
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June 02, 2014
Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic, penicillin, in the late 1920s. This momentous discovery marked the beginning of the “antibiotic age.” No longer were humans defenseless against harmful bacteria that cause life-threatening infections. This rather fortuitous discovery essentially changed the course of medical history. Antibiotic literally means “life killing.” That’s exactly what antibiotics do – they destroy the life of bacteria without harming the host. The discovery of antibiotics was undoubtedly one of the greatest triumphs of the twentieth century – but, now, less than one-hundred years later we’re fighting a different battle – the emergence of the superbugs. What.... [Read More...]
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