September 13, 2018
There is nothing a parent won’t do for their child. Keeping them healthy and happy is on the top of the list. Yet if your child is stubborn, and does not want to eat well or take care of him or herself, this can be a frustrating endeavor. So what can we do? Setting Examples We all want to share our insight and the lessons we have learned with our children. While we desire to have meaningful conversations with our kids, and have them hang on our every word, actions often speak louder. We are the shining examples they will.... [Read More...]
The post Probiotics – Don’t Kid Around! appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
September 07, 2018
“Oh, come on guys. It’s so simple maybe you need a refresher course. It’s all ball bearings nowadays.” This famous line from the classic movie comedy Fletch always gets a laugh, and makes for fun party conversation. But change “ball bearings” to “bacteria” and suddenly you have an insightful truth that many people don’t even know. It’s All Bacteria Nowadays Researchers now calculate that more than 10,000 microbial species occupy the human ecosystem. This is known collectively as the gut microbiota, and these organisms not only affect human health, they define it. Our gut microbiota contains tens of trillions (10,000,000,000).... [Read More...]
The post Battling Bad Bacteria appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
September 04, 2018
Today’s world is filled with stress and anxieties. Taking care of ourselves is even more important, and yet so many people ignore aches and pains and fight their way through each and every day. Sometimes you have no choice and just have to carry on and get through the day without any breaks or pauses, but we need to pay attention to our own bodies. They are constantly trying to tell us things, and perhaps even give us warnings of more serious issues to come. We need to listen! Gut Instinct We all know what a gut instinct is and.... [Read More...]
The post Warning! The Signs Of An Unhealthy Gut appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
September 04, 2018
Kids can be picky eaters…really picky. Many battles between parents and children seem to be about food. While the intention is always to keep children healthy and well nourished, they don’t always see it that way. Kids will avoid certain foods at all costs. They may toss them out, hide them, or sneak them under the table for the family pet to eat. The key is to find a true happy meal. Eat Your Vegetables! It’s funny how full circle it all comes. When you’re a kid you may remember hearing a parent beg or plead to “eat your vegetables.”.... [Read More...]
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August 11, 2018
From home brewing kits to the refrigerator aisles of major supermarkets, kombucha is one of the newer health crazes on the market. It seems like every company is making one, and they can be found everywhere. Entire refrigerator sections are dedicated solely to kombucha these days. Once you walk past the huge array of cold brews and coffee drinks, and then iced teas… Boom! The question is, is kombucha healthy? Kombucha – What Is It Exactly? Actually, the first question should be, what is kombucha? So let’s start with that. Kombucha is a fermented, effervescent drink that is pushed as.... [Read More...]
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August 06, 2018
Traveling is a joy. Experiencing other countries and cultures or even other states is eye opening and such a pleasure. There is so much to see and explore. Whether you are staying local on a “staycation” or traveling the globe, there are many ways to approach travel. How Do You Travel? Some people like to be completely spontaneous and other than booking hotels or house rentals, the entire trip is spur of the moment. There is something freeing about going with the flow, getting recommendations from locals, and staying off the beaten path. Life is a journey. As Yogi Berra.... [Read More...]
The post Don’t Forget To Pack Your Probiotics appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
July 13, 2018
Know Where Your Food Is From And Where It Has Been There are real pleasures in strolling a farmers market, or even the produce aisles of a grocery store. The sights and smells all tantalize the senses. Touch is also important in order to determine the quality and freshness. However, if we are all doing that, think about all the other people that may be doing it, too. That is a lot of different hands touching your fruits and vegetables. Knowing exactly where your food comes from is a big thing these days. Foodies like specific information, and the more.... [Read More...]
The post Who Else Has Been In That Cookie Jar? appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
July 09, 2018
Transparency… Honest labeling… Presenting the consumer with accurate information. How is this even a question? It seems like a no brainer and is certainly not too much to ask for, but for years it was almost impossible to find out basic information on foods and supplements. Now consumers have a much easier time getting the information they need. Knowledge makes for better decisions and creates confidence in the consumer. Shout It Out Loud One would think that when you make a superior product, you would want the world and your customers to know everything about it, and certainly everything they.... [Read More...]
The post The Truth In Labels appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
June 28, 2018
In addition to making you feel horrible, bloating can add between four to five inches to your waist. I’m sure that is just what you wanted to hear before summer, and pool and beach time. However, there are things you can do. Let’s turn that summer bloating into summer floating. What Is Bloating? While it is often used interchangeably with the term “water retention,” it is not the same thing. It is also not seasonal, and can happen at any time. Bloating is the condition of your stomach or belly feeling swollen after eating. It is usually caused by an.... [Read More...]
The post Bloating Can Add Inches To Your Waist appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
June 21, 2018
Okay, so we’re not actually grilling probiotics. That would be strange. Especially since Natren’s probiotics arrive cold, like a sweet summer watermelon cooler. Ooh, that sounds good. Summer is about enjoying the heat and the outdoors, and also cooling ourselves down. We take vacations, we play outside, and we hike and swim. We also eat… and sometimes too much. Summer foods are delicious. Fresh vegetables, corn on the cob and some amazing, seasonal fruit are plentiful. If we stick with whole foods and single ingredients that is always better, but with parties and get-togethers and family barbecues, we have a.... [Read More...]
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June 07, 2018
In their hit song from 1984, Huey Lewis and the News open their lyrics with: “Oh I want a new drug, one that won’t make me sick.” Little did they know how much the use of prescribed and over the counter drugs would increase in the ensuing years. Or maybe they did. It certainly seems like they knew drugs could actually make people sick when their intended purpose is to heal and cure. Frustratingly, many of these drugs have horrible side effects. While certain prescriptions are necessary, we need to be careful about becoming addicted or reliant on certain drugs..... [Read More...]
The post A Better Prescription appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
May 23, 2018
If you suffer from allergies, you know how aggravating and even debilitating they can be. Moreover, certain allergies pose very serious health risks. There are seasonal allergies to things like pollen, reactions to chemicals, produced materials like latex, and allergies to animals or food. Allergic reactions to nuts can be deadly for some and has forced many schools to become “nut-free” zones. The list is enormous and can also include dust, smoke, and even down comforters and pillows. Allergy sufferers know all too well the symptoms that come with specific allergies. Reducing these allergies, and eventually eliminating them, if possible,.... [Read More...]
The post A New Craving: Taking Two Supplements During Pregnancy May Reduce Allergies In Future Generations appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
May 18, 2018
Depression, stress, and anxiety are huge problems these days. It can be overwhelming. It is estimated that around 7% of the American population experiences at least one episode of depression in their lifetime. Moreover, if that depression does not subside and lingers, things can get worse very quickly. While medications may help with the symptoms, they are not without their side effects. As discussed in other articles, these prescription drugs can have many unintended consequences and can wreak havoc on the gut. They can alter gut diversity and change the gut microbiota. Ironically, the side effects can cause discomfort, digestive.... [Read More...]
The post Come On, Get Happy! Probiotics Shown To Reverse Depression Symptoms In Mice appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
May 01, 2018
The immune system protects the body against foreign invaders that cause illness. Through a series of steps, the immune system launches an all-out attack on dangerous viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. In autoimmune disease however, the immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake. Doctors currently prescribe treatments, such as steroids, to suppress the immune system. Now medical researchers are investigating the benefits of using probiotics to manage autoimmune responses. Probiotics are bacteria that provide health benefits to their host. Many of these probiotics live in the gut alongside unhealthy bacteria that cause disease. In a healthy gut, probiotics help keep.... [Read More...]
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May 01, 2018
Today’s headlines are filled with stories about antibiotic resistance, a state where antibiotics no longer kill dangerous bacteria. Recent headlines in the British daily newspaper, The Telegraph, announced that tourism is spreading antibiotic-resistant superbugs. The article discusses a study in which researchers found that people who had traveled to South America, the Middle East, or certain other areas of the world are more likely to carry superbugs. The Washington Post headline “’Our greatest fear’: Highly drug-resistant gonorrhea confirmed by health officials” is quite alarming. That newspaper article details a case report of a man who developed an antibiotic-resistant strain of.... [Read More...]
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April 09, 2018
Irritable bowels are uncomfortable, inconvenient, frustrating and sometimes even embarrassing. Fortunately, new research suggests probiotics may be able to help. The symptoms of irritable bowels can be unpredictable, which can make life complicated. Symptoms include bloating, gas, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and constipation. Some people experience constipation, while others experience only diarrhea; a few experience constipation alternating with diarrhea. These symptoms originate in the large intestine, which is the last part of the gastrointestinal tract. The large intestine, also known as the colon, absorbs water and stores feces to eliminate later in a bowel movement. The underlying cause of these symptoms.... [Read More...]
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