Why all this talk about gut health??
Your gut has a huge impact on whole-body health and well being.
About 60 to 80 percent of our immune system lives in our gut. Imbalances in the gut’s microbiome (which is primarily made up of bacteria) lead to a whole host of health issues.
Keeping your gut healthy will contribute to a strong immune system, weight control, heart health, brain health, improved mood, healthy sleep, and it may help prevent some cancers and autoimmune diseases. A healthy gut can even make you feel happy... 90% of serotonin, the feel good hormone, is produced in your gut!
Trillions of bacteria live in your body, especially your large intestine. Some of these microorganisms cause disease, while others fight it, and you need a proper balance of good and bad bacteria to promote good health. The good bacteria do more than just help with digestion. They help keep your bad bacteria in check. They multiply so often that the unhealthy kind don't have space to grow. When the balance is thrown off, problems ensue.
How your gut bacteria can impact specific areas of your body:
Your Heart
The bad bacteria in our gut microbiota has been linked to heart disease - specifically an increased risk of developing atherosclerotic heart disease. Something called TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide) can be measured in your blood and is produced by by bad gut microbial metabolism. Studies have found a positive correlation between elevated blood levels of TMAO and an increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular events.
Your Kidneys
Trimethylamine-N-Oxide (TMAO) is a microbiome-related metabolite that is cleared by your kidneys and linked to renal function. It has been found that increased levels of TMAO in your bloodstream is toxic for your kidneys, leading to renal impairment and chronic kidney disease.
Your Brain
While the digestive tract and the brain feel far apart in your body, they are actually connected via a 24/7 direct line of biochemical communication, set up by special nerve cells and immune pathways. It’s called the gut-brain axis.
For decades, researchers and doctors have known that anxiety and depression contributed to gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, bloating and stomach upset. More recently, researchers have found evidence that an imbalance in your gastrointestinal flora may send signals to the central nervous system (CNS) that trigger mood changes. And now they are discovering that a disrupted microbiome, may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions that cause dementia.
Weight Control
Scientists have known for some time that the microbiomes of obese and lean people differ in striking ways. Obesity, insulin resistance and fatty liver disease are associated with less microbial diversity. An unhealthy balance in your gut microbiome may cause crossed signals from your brain when it comes to feeling hungry or full. Researchers are further exploring the possibility that manipulating the gut microbiota could facilitate weight loss or prevent obesity.
Your Skin
A balanced microbiome can have great potential in preventing and treating skin diseases including eczema, atopic dermatitis, acne, and allergic inflammation. Because gut bacteria can control certain immune cells and help manage the body’s inflammatory pathways, it is said that a healthy gut will reduce inflammation in skin disorders and contribute to radiant skin!
How do you keep your gut as healthy as possible?
While you can’t change our genetics, you can modify your exposures and diet to nurture your microbiome as you age. There are a number of dietary and lifestyle changes you can make to positively affect your gut health and your overall health as a result.
6 Ways You Can Improve Your Gut Health:
1) Avoid processed foods and foods high in refined sugars: These foods destroy good bacteria and promote the growth of damaging bacteria.
2) Limit saturated fats in your diet: Saturated fats, fried foods and high-fat dairy products reduce the growth of healthy bacteria and enhance the growth of bad bacteria.
3) Avoid unnecessary antibiotics: Overuse of antibiotics can kill off healthy bacteria.
4) Practice a healthy lifestyle: Exercising, getting enough sleep, and managing stress can all have a positive impact on your gut microbes.
5) Add probiotic foods to your diet: Found in some foods, these are “good” bacteria like the ones already in your gut. They can add to the bacteria in your intestinal tract and help keep everything in balance. These foods include: high-fiber foods, fermented foods (like yogurt, sauerkraut, fermented vegetables, keifer and miso), garlic and onions, and collagen boosting foods (like bone broth).
6) Take a probiotic supplement: Probiotic supplements can make your immune system stronger and boost gastrointestinal health too, especially if you have something like irritable bowel syndrome. They help your body by making sure the good and bad bacteria in your gut stays balanced and healthy.
What to Look for in a Probiotic Supplement.
Probiotic Supplements are Not Created Equal!
Aim for Quality:
Probiotics are sold as supplements, just like vitamins and herbs. The FDA doesn't check them for safety or health claims made by the maker, the way they would for drugs
Multiple Strains:
More strains give more chances of success for a beneficial effect of the product and thus a larger success rate for a given health benefit
Capsules:
Capsules are important, because they get the bacteria in your probiotic to where they need to go! Some probiotics on the market are housed in enteric-coated capsules. But enteric-coated capsules can contain plasticizers and phthalates. Look for a plant-based delayed-release capsule.
Why Neolife Acidophilus Plus?
Quality:
Multiple peer reviewed studies have been conducted supporting the effectiveness of the quality ingredients found in Acidophilus Plus.
Multiple Strains:
In Neolife Acidophilus Plus you will find five types of beneficial, lactic acid-producing bacteria:
• Lactobacillus acidophilus • Lactobacillus bulgaricus • Lactobacillus casei • Bifidobacterium bifidum • Streptococcus thermophilus
These beneficial bacteria were isolated from cultured dairy foods to support a healthful balance of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. And has as many beneficial bacteria as 10 servings of yogurt or five servings of milk!
Potency:
Each capsule is filled with five billion live organisms and protected for maximum delivery to the intestines.
Capsule:
Neolife acidophilus is encapsulated in a vegan, plant-based delayed-release capsule – assuring that the maximum number of live bacteria survive your stomach acid and make it to the intestines where they need to do their work!
