Digestive Health

Why Taking Probiotics Alone Might Not Be Enough

The importance of maintaining balanced gut flora was one of the top health stories of 2017. We now know that having the right balance of bacteria in the gut may improve your immune system, boost your metabolism, contribute to good mental health and support good health in almost every way. Because of this news, many people have begun taking probiotic supplements or eating foods rich in beneficial bacteria. However, probiotics alone may not be enough by themselves. Prebiotics also appear to be crucial to maintaining healthy gut flora and thus may be a beneficial component when it comes to gut health.

The Benefits of a Healthy GI Tract

Probiotics have become popular health supplements, with good reason. Our bodies evolved to live symbiotically with certain types of bacteria. These bacteria colonize our skin and our intestines — basically all of the places where we are exposed to substances from the outside. Gut bacteria in particular play a very important role, boosting our immune systems, helping us absorb different nutrients and even contributing the majority of the serotonin in our bodies.

However, modern life does not contribute to a healthy GI tract. We are routinely exposed to antibiotics, anti-microbial chemicals and a variety of products that are created to kill micro-organisms. In addition, the modern Western diet lacks the fermented foods needed to continuously recolonize our systems. The result is that our bodies can easily become overrun with the wrong kind of bacteria; ones that encourage illness rather than helping to sustain good health. A proliferation of the wrong gut bacteria has been linked to a variety of diseases, including C. difficile infections, Crohn’s disease and even type 2 diabetes. Probiotics have been presented as a way of overcoming these modern challenges, but new research suggests that they are simply not enough.

Prebiotics vs. Probiotics

Many people get confused about the different terms used in relationship to GI flora. In general, the term probiotics refers to bacteria known to have beneficial effects on our health. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are foods and substances that feed these bacteria and help them to flourish. In general, soluble fiber appears to be the key food for the bacterial species that we want to thrive. Foods that are naturally high in soluble fiber are not common in our diets, so a supplement may be helpful to many people trying to restore healthy GI flora.

When we plant a garden, we do not simply throw seeds onto the soil. Most people will provide fertilizer to help feed the growing plants. In addition, we weed and otherwise remove the unwanted plant growth in the area. Beneficial bacteria similarly need special help to thrive in an environment that is hostile due to the growth of disease-causing bacteria as well as stomach acid and other challenges.

Are You Still Taking Probiotics Alone?

Increasingly, health researchers recommend taking prebiotics along with probiotics to help support good health. In one study, researchers in Copenhagen examined people who consumed probiotic foods and supplements alone, without ingesting complementary prebiotics. These people were found to have very little differences in gut bacteria compared to people who did not take any probiotics.

Many gastrointestinal specialists feel that a lack of prebiotics is one of the major challenges to beneficial bacteria trying to colonize our system. Microbiology and pathology professor Ian Orme notes, “thirty billion Lactobacillus sounds good, but after going through the stomach acid, only about 43 of them survive… in other words these 43 or so bacteria politely ask the million or so anaerobic Bifidobacteria to please leave.” Special foods, however, can give these bacteria the advantage that they need to reproduce and thrive.

Maintaining Balanced Gut Flora

Most people in developing countries can benefit from a supplement that contains both prebiotics and probiotics. Our diet and lifestyle simply does not sustain a healthy GI tract. Researchers recommend several ways of accomplishing this. People can eat their probiotics in foods such as kefir and yogurt along with foods that are rich in soluble fiber, such as many vegetables. If this is unrealistic, as it is for many, there are supplements that contain both prebiotics and probiotics. Ideally, people should look for one that contains a high level of live bacteria: at least 20 billion. This may seem high, but our guts contain trillions of bacteria when in a healthy state. Ideally, these supplements should contain multiple strains of Lactobacillus, such as acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium, all of which contribute to good health.

Keeping healthy gut flora may be one of the greatest challenges of modern life. Our world and our food are cleaner and more germ-free than ever, which is likely a detriment to our health. Taking probiotics along with the food that they need to thrive is a healthy way to support the good health that we all need and deserve.

Spring Cleaning: 4 Strategies to Cleanse Your Body for Optimum Health

Feb 28 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Winter is finally on its way out in most of the Northern Hemisphere. Soon we will be spending more time outdoors enjoying the warm weather and generally trying to be healthier. Spring is a time of fresh new beginnings, which is why millions engage in the tradition of deep cleaning and decluttering. Spring cleaning your body also can have benefits, gently detoxifying your organs and helping you to fully embrace a healthier, more vital new season. Here are four strategies for accomplishing just that.

1. Clean Your Body After Holiday Indulgences

For many people, winter is not a healthy season. Holiday eating, New Year’s drinking and other celebrations can take their toll. In addition, many people feel run down from winter illnesses. This can strain our body’s natural detoxifying mechanisms and lead to a variety of vague complaints, such as difficulty sleeping, digestive issues and fatigue.

Gentle, full body cleanses are the best way to end the winter blahs quickly and effectively. This does not require extreme fad diets, however. Simple, gentle methods can be the best full body cleanses, such as:

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetabt ales, especially ones that are raw and organic.
Partaking in saunas or other treatments that allow you to sweat and open pores.
Eating more fiber, both soluble and insoluble fiber; these encourage better gastrointestinal motility and health.
Enjoying natural detoxifying herbs, such as dandelion, milk thistle and turmeric.

2. Jump Start Your Gut Flora

New research is showing that our gut flora is more important that we could have previously known. The bacteria in our intestines can help — or harm — our immune system, metabolism or even our mental health. Gut flora remove toxins, assist in absorbing nutrients and support good health in a variety of ways. Resetting your gut bacteria can have a profound effect on your whole body health.

A short colon cleanse can rejuvenate the large intestine and remove excess fecal matter that has been causing bloating and weighing you down. However, this is not enough to overhaul your gut flora on its own. It is also important to begin taking both probiotic and prebiotic supplements or one product that contains both to ensure the growth of beneficial bacteria.

Why are these two supplements so crucial to gut health? Most people are familiar with probiotics, which are living bacteria that have been found to have positive effects on health. However, most living things require nutrients in order to get established and flourish in a new environment. Prebiotics are the soluble plant fiber that helps to feed beneficial bacteria, similar to the fertilizer used in gardening. A prebiotic supplement will ensure that the right bacterial populations can thrive and yield the most benefits for your health throughout both this spring and the rest of 2018.

3. Gently Detoxify Your Organs With Spring Cleaning Phytochemicals

The indulgences of winter can be difficult on the liver and kidneys, both of which are essential for both metabolism and detoxification. Several natural strategies have been found to assist in gently boosting your body’s natural detox processes. To give your liver the boost it needs, consider one or all of the following tips:

Drink plenty of water — at least eight glasses a day.
Eat a variety of greens such as spinach and kale. These contain energy-producing chlorophyll as well as phytonutrients that gently cleanse vital organs.
Eat more sour and bitter foods. The compounds that produce these strong flavors also have detoxifying properties.
Rely on healthy, plant fats such as olive oil rather than more processed oils from grains or animals.
Reduce or eliminate toxic substances such as white sugar, nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol from your diet.

4. Improve Your Energy Levels for Warmer Weather

Warmer weather makes most people want to get outside. However, it is easy to be stuck in the winter blahs. You will feel more eager to get outside if you choose detoxifying strategies that also increase energy. First, eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to bump up your vitamin levels. Second, get out into the sunlight. Sun helps your body to naturally produce vitamin D, which is crucial for energy and good mood. Last, get your sleep cycles on track. Thoroughly overhauling your circadian rhythm is one of the best ways to spring clean your life and your health habits for healthier, more rested warm weather months.

A thorough cleaning of your home will make it feel brighter, lighter, and more spacious. A cleansing detox should similarly help you feel more energy and motivation. There is no reason to enter the warm weather months without the optimal health that you deserve.

Taking Vitamin D to Soothe IBS Symptoms

Feb 05 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common disorder in the modern world, affecting around 12 percent of people in the United States and other developed countries. Although it is believed to be autoimmune-related, in which the immune system attacks parts of the large intestine, doctors and scientists have little idea of how to treat it. As a result, many people are left with uncomfortable and even painful symptoms that are difficult to effectively treat. However, there is growing evidence that vitamin D for IBS may soothe many of the symptoms of this disorder. Could lifestyle changes and supplements be the answer that people are seeking?

What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Is modern life making you sick to your stomach? This is an important question for the growing number of people in the developed world that suffer from IBS. Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder that involves mainly the large intestine. People who have this disorder suffer from abdominal pain and cramping, flatulence, bloating and nausea. In addition, they may have diarrhea, constipation or alternating bouts of both. Most people with IBS have mild or moderate symptoms, with severe cases rare. However, even mild symptoms can be annoying and interfere with one’s ability to lead a normal life. In fact, IBS sufferers miss three times as many days at work as people who do not have the disorder.

There are multiple factors believed to cause or contribute to IBS. In addition to possible immune system attacks on the large intestine, imbalances in the natural flora of the intestine also appear to play a role. Other scientists have suggested that the problem is more mechanical, involving disordered muscular contractions or neurological supply to the area. Because there is no clear cause of IBS, there is no clear treatment. However, lifestyle changes, special diets and stress management can all be effective to some degree.

New Research on Vitamin D for IBS

Prior studies have found that people with IBS are more likely to have low vitamin D levels than the rest of the population. According to Dr. Bernard Corfe, professor at the University of Sheffield’s Department of Oncology and Metabolism, supplementing vitamin D may be key to reducing symptoms and improving quality of life. Dr. Corfe recently looked at the effects of vitamin D for IBS sufferers. His team performed an analysis of all known existing research looking at IBS and this vitamin. They found that not only is IBS linked to low vitamin D, but that taking a vitamin D supplement can actually reduce the symptoms of this illness.

Dr. Corfe and his research team acknowledge that more research will be needed before vitamin D is a formally recommended treatment. However, it appears clear that people with IBS should talk to their doctor about vitamin D testing and supplementation.

Vitamin D and Overall Health

IBS is not the only autoimmune disease linked to low vitamin D levels. Although this vitamin is best known for its role in strengthening bones, it also is crucial in modulating the immune system. Recent studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to a variety of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Low levels of this nutrient also have been linked to several types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer.

However, vitamin D deficiency is becoming more common. Much of our vitamin D comes not from food and supplements, but from the sun. People are more likely than ever to cover up or wear sunscreen; in addition, most people no longer work outside. Many doctors recommend taking a vitamin D supplement to make up for a lack of sources of natural vitamin D in modern life. You should not just take vitamin D for IBS, but for whole-body health.

Natural Ways to Treat IBS

Modern medicine has not yet developed a definitive treatment or cure for IBS. However, there are several lifestyle changes that can make a meaningful difference in both symptoms and their severity.

Consider taking a vitamin D supplement to address any deficiencies of this nutrient.
Take peppermint oil or drink peppermint tea, both of which have been shown to reduce IBS symptoms.
Consider taking an anti-histamine such as Claritin. Histamines appear to be involved in IBS flares, so these medications can help.
Eat more fiber, which can be helpful for both diarrhea and constipation.
Consider following the low FODMAP diet, which reduces foods believed to irritate the intestines in IBS sufferers.
Take a probiotic supplement to help build and maintain healthy gut flora.
Find ways to reduce stress. Both yoga and antidepressant medications have been shown to alleviate the symptoms of IBS.

No one should have to live with the pain and inconvenience of constant gastrointestinal trouble. Although researchers are still looking for a cure for irritable bowel syndrome, there are several natural ways to manage the symptoms and reduce the pain. As with many diseases, healthy lifestyle is the key to prevention and management.

Proven: Diet and Gut Bacteria Affect Cancer Risk

Jan 31 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Every moment, there are trillions of microorganisms residing in your digestive system. Some of these species of bacteria are beneficial, while others are harmful. Though one of their main functions is to help you digest food, in the past few years scientific research has revealed that gut bacteria impacts many aspects of health, including your metabolism and immune system. For example, babies born by C-section are more likely to have immune problems like asthma and allergies. This is because babies born vaginally receive beneficial bacteria from the mother’s vagina that strengthen their immune system.

As research continues to look into the link between gut bacteria and the impact on various aspects of health, among the growing list of health concerns that can be influenced by an unhealthy gut microbiome is colorectal cancer.

Gut Bacteria Affect Cancer Risk

According to the National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer is the fourth most-common type of cancer. It is estimated that in 2017, there were approximately 95,500 new cases of colon cancer and 40,000 new cases of rectal cancer in the U.S. alone. Given how common this disease is, research surrounding prevention and treatment is of great importance to public health. A new study, published in the journal Nature Communications, reveals that there is a deeper connection between colorectal cancer risk and gut bacteria than previously known.

This study involved isolated mouse and human cells and focused on the role of short-chain fatty acids, or SCFAs. SCFAs are chemicals produced by the gut bacteria during the digestion of fruits and vegetables, and have many possible subtle health effects due to their ability to enter the human intestinal cells, affecting gene expression and cellular behavior.

The researchers found that the presence of many SCFAs in the human digestive system can increase crotonylations; protein modification that can switch genes on or off. These crotolynations are produced by inhibiting a protein called HDAC2. High levels of HDAC2 have been previously linked to an increased colorectal cancer risk. Mice with a low overall gut bacteria population were found to have higher HDAC2 levels, suggesting that a thriving internal microbial ecosystem is important for reducing cancer risk. In a nutshell, a diet high in fruits and vegetables will cause greater SCFA production, which in turn inhibits the HDAC2 protein which is linked to colorectal cancer.

Fiber and Your Microbiome

How can fruits and vegetables protect against colorectal cancer? One of the biggest factors is their fiber content. Another study, conducted at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts and published in the journal JAMA Oncology, found that a high-fiber diet, specifically, is protective against colorectal cancer. A high-fiber diet consists of plenty of fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes and nuts, as well as whole grains instead of refined grains.

Though the gut microbiome is usually talked about in very general terms, since there are potentially millions of different bacteria species that inhabit the human body, individual species have been linked to specific aspects of health. One species of bacteria, F. nucleatum, is highly suspected to play a role in the development of colorectal cancer. In other research, it has been found that a high-fiber diet reduced numbers of this bacteria. This at least partially explains the mechanism through which a high-fiber diet reduces colorectal cancer risk.

This link between dietary fiber intake and colorectal cancer risk can be considered legitimate, as the study was very large. It used data from over 137,000 people who were part of the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and the famous Nurses’ Health Study. By contrast, the researchers found that a diet high in red meats, such as beef and pork, and processed meats such as hot dogs, may increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

Gut Bacteria and Chemotherapy Effectiveness

Your gut bacteria not only influences your cancer risk, but how well you will respond to cancer treatment. A review of research, published in the journal Nature, has shown that the gut microbiome affects how a patient will respond to chemotherapy. Since your gut bacteria and immune system are in constant communication, your intestinal bacteria can alter your immune system’s reaction to chemotherapy drugs. The microbiome can also affect the activation of the drugs themselves.

The relationship between gut bacteria and cancer treatment effectiveness has also been explored in multiple animal studies. Mice who have been raised in a sterile environment since birth, and who therefore have no gut bacteria whatsoever, have higher levels of the liver enzymes that break down chemotherapy drugs. This means that the drugs are broken down faster, therefore leaving the animal’s body faster, giving the drug less time to act and making it less effective. Since many human chemotherapy drugs are delivered in an inactive form, to be later activated by liver enzymes, this effect of the microbiome is of great clinical importance.

Although further research on this topic is needed, in short, it appears that taking measures to maintain a strong and healthy balance of gut bacteria may reduce cancer risk as well as improve recovery rates in people who have already developed cancer.

Gut Flora Influence Allergies and Immune System Health

Dec 19 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Have you ever talked about having a “gut feeling” about something? Your gut, particularly the bacteria that live there, may be more important to your health than most people realize. A lot has been written lately about probiotics and their impact on health. A surprising range of diseases, from depression to certain types of cancer, have been linked to imbalances of gastrointestinal bacteria. According to several recent studies on how gut flora influence allergies, the bacteria in our bowels may even have a sizable effect on our immune systems.

The Importance of Healthy Gut Flora

Our gastrointestinal tracts are full of millions of bacteria. These bacteria play a huge role in digestion, breaking foods down into small enough pieces to be absorbed. They also appear to be important in maintaining a barrier between the inside of our intestines and the rest of our body, protecting against serious infections and illnesses. An imbalance of this gut bacteria can cause gastrointestinal disorders as well as contribute to a wide range of illnesses.

This may not be good news for many Westerners and people living in industrialized nations. The Western diet, which is low in roughage and foods rich in healthy bacteria, does not support a healthy microbiome. Because of this, an increasing number of people are beginning to take probiotic supplements as well as prebiotics, which are types of fiber that feed healthy gut flora. How important could your probiotic supplement be to your whole body health? According to new research, keeping your gastrointestinal (GI) tract populated with healthy bacteria may even influence your immune system and your chance of developing allergies.

How Gut Flora Influence Allergies

Allergies are a growing problem in the United States. In fact, rates have increased by around 50 percent in less than two decades. According to studies, this may be due to low amounts of bacteria of the Clostridia species. In one particular study, mice were raised in a sterile environment and given antibiotics to ensure an absence of gut flora were exposed to allergens to assess their response. These mice had a sharp increase in allergic reactions over those with a healthy GI tract. Different kinds of bacteria were introduced to assess how these affect their immune system. Those who were exposed to Clostridia bacteria saw a decline in allergies.

Similarly, humans given fermented milk products containing a different bacterial species have been shown to have a decrease in allergic reactions. In fact, researchers have theorized that we may soon be able to treat allergies with probiotic supplements containing certain types of bacteria. There appears to be an important interaction between the human immune system and the GI flora that line our guts.

Are Probiotics Key to a Healthy Immune System?

How can gut flora affect allergies and the immune system? Researchers are still looking for root causes, but a few findings have solved part of the puzzle. Gut bacteria act as the first line of defense against any dangerous things we may ingest. They maintain an environment where allergens are less likely to pass into the bloodstream. In addition, healthy bacteria crowd out unhealthy bacteria which can cause immune reactions, inflammation and even increase the chance of developing colon cancer.

Some bacteria also appear to stimulate the production of IgE, the immune molecule that underlies anaphylaxis and other potentially deadly allergic reactions. Other bacteria appear to suppress IgE production. This may be a major contributor to the rising rates of serious food allergies as well as autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease.

Maintaining Your GI Biome for Good Health

Although the interaction between gut flora and the immune system is still being studied, gastrointestinal bacteria appear to be crucial to whole body health. How can you maintain a healthy set of gut flora? Consider the following lifestyle changes:

Avoid taking antibiotics except when absolutely medically necessary.
Eat a diet with a wide range of fiber, especially whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
Choose fermented foods such as yogurt and sauerkraut, which are rich in healthy bacteria.
Avoid using antibacterial products to clean your home and office.
Consider taking a probiotic supplement and even a prebiotic to continue colonizing your gut with the healthy bacteria it needs.

Although the modern Western diet does not support a healthy GI tract, simple changes such as these can help to compensate. As a side benefit, these changes can have positive benefits for health in a variety of other ways. There are currently no known side effects to taking probiotic supplements or otherwise ingesting healthy gut bacteria.

Much of human disease may not be all in our heads, but rather all in our stomachs. Keeping a healthy GI tract will protect your body and help to maintain good health in a variety of ways. Although there is still much to be studied in this area, there is a good chance that we may someday have targeted probiotic supplements to heal a variety of uncomfortable and dangerous conditions.

Using Probiotics for Eczema Can Help Heal Your Skin

Nov 29 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Eczema is a bothersome and often uncomfortable inflammatory skin disease, also known as dermatitis. There are several different types of eczema, but the most common type is atopic dermatitis. An estimated 31.6 million people in the United States alone suffer from eczema. The condition is more common in children; in fact, up to 15 percent of all children will experience temporary eczema. However, eczema can also be a chronic condition that may last a lifetime.

Atopic dermatitis is characterized by areas of skin that are dry, red, itchy and scaly. In severe cases, skin may be become crusty, cracked and bleeding. In such cases, the skin becomes much more prone to infections and complications may arise as a result of this. Eczema can have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life due to physical discomfort, impact on self-image, money spent on treatments and time spent treating the disease. It is estimated that one-third of people with eczema spend between one and three hours a day treating it.

This skin condition is not completely understood by science. Symptoms are made worse by environmental factors such as heat and external irritants like harsh laundry detergents. However, neither of these things are the underlying cause of eczema. Current research points to eczema being an abnormal immune system reaction. There seems to be a genetic component to the condition. Some of the most recent studies have also discovered that eczema is linked to bacterial imbalances both inside and outside the body.

What Exactly Are Probiotics?

The human body is teeming with other life—microorganisms inside and outside the body outnumber our one cells 10-to-one. The digestive tract, in particular, is home to a complex ecosystem of bacteria. The gut microbiome, as it is often called, has been the subject of much pioneering research since the turn of the 21st century. Such research has been done with the aid of new DNA sequencing methods that allow researchers to detect microorganism species that would otherwise remain in hiding in our digestive tracts, unable to be cultured in a petri dish for identification.

The gut microbiome consists of bacterial and fungal species that are beneficial to our health, as well as species that are harmful. The balance of beneficial versus harmful species characterizes whether a person’s gut flora is healthy or unhealthy. Scientists have discovered that many different aspects of health are linked to the balance of gut bacteria, including immunity, child development, obesity, digestive efficiency and mood.

Though more research is needed, there is increasing evidence that adding more beneficial bacteria to the body can improve the health of your gut microbiome and therefore improve certain aspects of health. When you add to the populations of healthy bacteria, you also decrease the populations of harmful bacteria.

Food or supplements containing beneficial microorganisms are known as probiotics. There are many probiotic supplements products on the market that consist of healthful bacteria inside a capsule to be swallowed. There are also many probiotic foods, including:

apple cider vinegar
kefir
kombucha
miso
raw cheese
sauerkraut
tempeh
yogurt

Probiotic consumption can have many benefits including a better immune system, better digestion and decreased symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders. Preliminary research even suggests that probiotics could be useful for treating stomach ulcers, respiratory infections and urinary tract infections. Since the gut microbiome has been linked to immune function, and eczema is an immune condition, it comes as no surprise that the latest research supports the use of probiotics for preventing and relieving eczema.

Probiotics for Eczema: An Effective Route?

There is a well-established link between the microbiome and eczema. Research has found that people with eczema have an abnormal bacteria balance, including unusually high populations of harmful species. Research suggests that probiotics can help prevent the formation of eczema in the first place—the children of mothers who take probiotics during the last few weeks of pregnancy, or while breastfeeding, have a lower rate of eczema. The mother’s microbiome affects the newborn child’s microbiome because the latter develops from the former; gut flora are essentially given to the child by the mother through several processes.

Preliminary research suggests that taking probiotics can also help reduce the severity of eczema that already exists. In one study, 118 children with eczema were given a probiotic twice a day for 12 weeks, or a placebo. The children who took the probiotic experienced relief from eczema, compared to the children in the placebo group.

The bottom line? There has not yet been enough research to support the idea that eczema can be treated solely with probiotics; nor is the use of probiotics a guarantee of relief. Probiotics are better thought of as a supplemental treatment in a comprehensive eczema treatment plan, which should also include things like:

antihistamines to relieve itching
avoiding foods that seem to promote flare-ups
avoiding fragrance in soap, detergent, and lotions
keeping the environment cool
moisturizing the skin daily
topical corticosteroids to reduce irritation
using bandages in case of cracking/bleeding
wearing natural fabrics

Further studies may help answer important questions about using probiotics to treat eczema, such as which species should be used, what the best dosage is, and who probiotics are most effective and appropriate for. Until this research takes place, using probiotics if you find it helps to relieve your eczema will most likely not do any harm.