Women's Health

The Complete Guide to Vitamin D for Bone Health and More

Vitamin D is a crucial fat-soluble vitamin that plays multiple roles in ensuring overall health and wellness. Vitamin D is naturally present in a few types of foods, but can also be obtained from a supplement or most famously, via sun exposure. If you are not getting a sufficient amount of vitamin D, you are putting your personal health at risk. This guide to vitamin D is intended to help empower you to make smart decisions about your food choices, supplements and sun exposure.

Why is Vitamin D Important?

Vitamin D is most useful in supporting calcium absorption throughout the body, particularly in the gut. Vitamin D also works in tandem with calcium for bone growth and maintenance. The bones in the body are more likely to become too thin and brittle without adequate levels of vitamin D. Sufficient levels of vitamin D in children will help to prevent rickets. For adults, vitamin D, along with calcium, is needed to mitigate the risk of developing osteoporosis. Inadequate vitamin D levels are also associated with a variety of other health issues, including poorer colorectal cancer outcomes, joint pain, periodontal disease, decreased muscle strength and more.

Signs You May be Low on Vitamin D

There are a number of symptoms that may present if you are low on vitamin D. Because this vitamin is so important for bone and muscle strength, a general feeling of weakness is associated with a vitamin D deficiency. Increased incidences of depression, fatigue and mood swings also may be signs that you are not getting enough of this crucial vitamin.

Other signs that you may be deficient in vitamin D include high blood pressure, hair loss, a depressed immune system, a greater sensitivity to pain, chronic gum disease, problems with your gut and greater susceptibility to allergies.

In addition to these short-term health issues, a vitamin D deficiency that continues for the long-term can lead to a host of chronic complications. This includes an increased risk for developing cancer, autoimmune issues, type II diabetes, cardiovascular problems, pregnancy complications and more.

The bottom line is that there are a variety of health conditions that you may be at a higher risk of developing both in the short-term and in the long-term if you are not diligent about getting enough of this important vitamin.

How to Ensure You Are Getting Enough Vitamin D

Now that you know about the problems associated with a deficiency in vitamin D, you are probably wondering how you can ensure that you are taking in enough of this crucial nutrient. Here are the three primary ways to boost your intake of vitamin D.

Food

While vitamin D is not plentiful in a wide variety of foods, it is still possible to boost your intake by focusing on foods that feature the nutrient. Good food sources for vitamin D include cheese, fatty fish, mushrooms, egg yolks and beef liver. You can also find many foods that are fortified with vitamin D. The most common foods that are fortified with vitamin D include cereal, bread, milk and orange juice.

Sun

You may have heard the phrase, “soaking up that vitamin D.” This is because the sun is one of the best sources of vitamin D. The sun’s rays hitting the body’s bare skin stimulates the production of vitamin D. Because the UVB radiation does not travel through glass, sun exposure needs to be direct. You will receive the highest concentration of vitamin D if you spend time in the sunlight between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m..

Supplements

If you are worried that you are not getting enough vitamin D, you may want to consider the use of supplements as an added layer of insurance. There are a number of highly effective supplements that provide vitamin D, including Vitachron.

The Great Sunscreen Debate

Because vitamin D is not as plentiful in foods as other vitamins, many people turn to the sun to deliver this nutrient. The challenge is finding that balance between sufficient protection from the sun and getting your daily dose of vitamin D.

As more is understood about vitamin D, the great sunscreen debate continues to rage on. Practicing sensible sun-protective measures is the best way to protect yourself against skin cancer while also ensuring that you are getting enough vitamin D. This means that you should avoid applying sunscreen so thickly that it blocks out all of the sun’s ability to provide vitamin D. It is also important to remember that most people only need about 20 minutes of sun exposure a few times per week to generate the amount of vitamin D needed for optimal health.

When it comes to vitamin D exposure via the sun, keep in mind that a little goes a long way. You do not need to bake in the sun to see the benefits.

Understanding the importance of vitamin D and how you can guarantee that you are taking in adequate amounts can have a profound positive effect on your overall health and well-being.

Why It’s Important to Get Enough Vitamin B12 During Pregnancy

Jan 29 by Ewcopywriting

It has long been known that it’s important to get enough vitamin B12 during pregnancy. Now, new research has discovered that this crucial vitamin provides even more benefits to a growing baby than previously known.

Why is Vitamin B12 Important?

Vitamin B12 provides a vast range of health benefits. However, because it is a water-soluble nutrient, it is not stored in the body, but is immediately absorbed and utilized. Whatever is not needed at the time is eliminated via the urine. For this reason, it’s important to continuously provide the body with adequate levels of vitamin B12 on a daily basis.

There are many ways vitamin B12 benefits everyone, regardless of age and gender. We know that vitamin B12 helps the body form new red blood cells and improves the metabolism of cells throughout the body. It also benefits nerve function and helps the body create new DNA. Vitamin B12 also promotes a healthy heart and helps to maintain blood pressure within normal ranges when combined with vitamin B6 and folate. Along with vitamin B12, these nutrients work to benefit heart health by helping to regulate blood levels of homocysteine, a compound which can contribute to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Research has also shown that people with dementia exhibit vitamin B12 deficiencies, although new studies are needed to establish whether boosting B12 intake would affect the risk for developing dementia.

Adding more vitamin B12 to your diet can be helpful and safe, but ingesting too much too quickly could result in mild adverse side effects. Those side effects or symptoms include:

headaches
dizziness
nausea and/or vomiting
anxiety

Why Do Women Need Vitamin B12 During Pregnancy?

Pregnant women are frequently given vitamin B12 shots or supplements to ensure the healthy development of their babies. Research has found that the nutrient helps babies by promoting optimal development of the nervous system and brain, although it also encourages proper growth of the physical body. In order for the baby to absorb enough vitamin B12, the mother must ingest sufficient amounts to supply her body and leave enough of a surplus for the baby. The placenta and blood of the baby should contain twice as much vitamin B12 as is present in the mother’s blood supply.

A new study that focused on the importance of vitamin B12 during pregnancy found that the brain was adversely affected by a deficiency of this vitamin. While previous research established that B12 promotes the development of the brain, this new research found that speech and mathematical abilities were negatively impacted by a B12 deficiency. Using a study of mothers and their children that was completed in the 1990s, the researchers examined the diets of 14,000 pregnant women and followed up with assessments of their children. The developmental abilities of the children in the test group were evaluated periodically.

The project involved comparing the abilities of children whose mothers ate a diet high in vitamin B12 to those of children with mothers who ate a diet deficient in the vitamin. The research team compensated for other factors that might explain differences in development among the children.

The study ultimately found that six factors were affected by insufficient levels of vitamin B12. Insufficient vitamin B12 resulted in lower vocabulary in children at 24 months, which led to problems with using word combinations at 38 months. Additionally, children without exposure to vitamin B12 in the womb exhibited reduced speech intelligibility at six years of age. Children in that particular group also showed poor math comprehension from fourth to sixth grade (ages eight to 11). Those children with mothers who did not maintain sufficient levels of vitamin B12 also performed poorly on the national mathematics test, which is given to 13-year-old children.

While these findings provide a better understanding of the importance of vitamin B12 to pregnant women, the researchers say more studies need to be conducted. They hope future research will uncover why these specific abilities are affected by the level of B12 in the mother’s blood, while other types of development seem unaffected. In the meantime, this early research is enough for doctors to continue urging pregnant women to increase their intake of vitamin B12.

Natural Ways to Boost Vitamin B12 Intake

One of the best ways to ensure you’re getting a sufficient supply of vitamin B12 throughout your pregnancy is to take a high-quality supplement each day. Pregnachron offers a sufficient supply of B12 to help ensure your baby is getting enough of the nutrient for optimal development. Additionally, the supplement contains a broad range of essential nutrients that will help ensure the health of your pregnancy. You can also add the following B12-rich foods to your diet during your pregnancy.

Animal Liver and Kidneys

While organ meat from any animal is packed with a broad range of nutrients, the liver and kidneys of a lamb are particularly rich in vitamin B12, containing 3,571 percent of the daily recommended value, making it ideal for pregnant women. Lamb organ meat is also rich in vitamin A, vitamin B2, selenium and copper.

Clams

If you’re a seafood lover, adding clams to your diet will give you a potent shot of B12 that’s equivalent to 7,000 percent of the DV. You will have to eat 20 clams to reach that level of B12, however.

Cereal

Unfortunately, vegans will find it difficult to get B12 naturally aside from taking a daily supplement. One of the only other ways to get vitamin B12 naturally without eating meat, fish or poultry is to consume fortified cereal. Fortified cereals are infused with powerful B vitamins, including B12. While the vitamin B12 in cereals is synthetically engineered, consuming it in this way will help you stick to your diet without risking a vitamin deficiency.

Study Suggests Taking Supplements May Reduce COVID-19 Risk in Women

Dec 21 by Ewcopywriting

Even with the much-anticipated arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine, there is still a long way to go before we are out of the woods in battling this deadly virus. Fortunately, you are not powerless when it comes to protecting yourself from infection. In addition to following the recommended protocols and proper personal hygiene practices, wearing a mask and practicing social distancing, there are steps that you can take to further reduce your risk of contracting the virus. While there is still a lot be learned about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, new research points to how taking supplements may reduce COVID-19 risk.

A new study suggests that being intentional about taking supplements and certain vitamins may lower your risk of becoming infected with COVID-19. The supplement melatonin has also been demonstrated to be particularly effective at enabling your immune system to better handle these new viruses. Here is what you need to know about this exciting emerging research and how you can apply it to your life today to protect yourself and your family.

How Taking Supplements May Reduce COVID-19 Risk

A recent study by King’s College in London looked at data from 1.4 million participants through a COVID Symptom Study app to learn more about the role of supplements in reducing the risk of the COVID-19 virus. The participants of the study provided for review data regarding their regular use of various dietary supplements.

What was most interesting about the data analysis is that only females seemed to experience a benefit from taking supplements. There were four specific supplements that stood out as being a significant deterrent, for women, to contracting the COVID-19 virus:

Probiotics: Those who took probiotics exhibited a 14 percent reduced risk of contracting COVID-19.
Multivitamins: Those who took a multivitamin showed a 13 percent reduced risk of contracting COVID-19.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation appeared to result in a 12 percent reduced risk of contracting COVID-19.
Vitamin D: Taking supplemental vitamin D was associated with a 9 percent reduced risk of contracting COVID-19.

In particular, vitamin D has received a great amount of attention throughout the pandemic as being an effective protective agent. Some studies suggest that being diligent about taking vitamin D may also reduce the risk of developing serious complications if you do test positive for the virus. This protective effect is largely attributed to the vitamin’s ability to suppress cytokine production; one of the most severe complications associated with COVID-19.

Importance of Melatonin for a Healthy Immune System

While scientists have long understood the role that melatonin plays in regulating your sleep cycles, it has recently been revealed that this hormone can also help to support a healthy immune system. Clearly, you will be better equipped to avoid the severe effects of the virus if your immune system is working at optimal levels.

Melatonin is responsible for providing crucial antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects to the body, boosting immune function as a result. Melatonin is produced throughout the body, including in the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract and in some immune cells.

Melatonin as an Immune Response Modulator

One of the primary ways that melatonin works is by acting as a modulator for the immune system. Scientists have discovered that the hormone can either boost immune response or suppress it, depending on the situation. This ability to discern when a full immune response should be activated or when it should be suppressed is especially important when the body encounters the COVID-19 virus.

Many individuals become severely ill when their immune system overreacts to the presence of the virus, triggering acute organ failure. Because melatonin can provide modulation of immune function, it may be a key weapon in helping the body to act appropriately in response to the virus.

How to Support Healthy Levels of These Important Nutrients

Now that you understand that taking supplements may reduce COVID-19 risk, how do you put this knowledge into practice? Here are the two primary ways that you can support healthy levels of these key nutrients so that you can put your body in the best position to fight the virus.

Diet

The cornerstone of all good health starts with a commitment to eating a nutritious diet. The building blocks of your diet should be fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and foods that are rich in calcium. If putting your body in the position to handle exposure to COVID-19 is your goal, be sure to focus on getting adequate amounts of vitamins D, A, and C as well as probiotics, iron, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids.

Supplements

Despite your best efforts, it can be challenging to obtain all of your nutrients through food alone. Look at supplements as a form of insurance to ensure your body has all that it needs to function at optimal levels of health. Cultivating a vitamin and supplement routine that includes the best supplements for protecting against COVID-19 is a good idea during these uncertain times. In your routine, be sure to include a melatonin supplement.

Even when the COVID-19 virus is not the threat that it is today, the lessons that we have learned about taking care of the body through vitamins and supplements will stick. Being purposeful about taking care of your body now will deliver benefits as you work to avoid the novel coronavirus, as well as in the future.

Nutrients, Minerals and Vitamins for Menopause

Nov 05 by Ewcopywriting

New research finds that taking vitamins for menopause relief may help women to reduce or alleviate some of the symptoms caused by this condition. Various minerals and natural plant substances that provide phytoestrogens can also be beneficial.

What is Menopause?

Menopause marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle, and it’s something every woman goes through eventually. While the typical age for menopause is 51, it can affect women in their 40s, or later in their mid- to late-50s. In most cases, a doctor won’t diagnose menopause until the woman has gone through a full year without experiencing any periods. Although menopause is a natural process, it does result in symptoms that can cause discomfort and physical pain as well as emotional changes.

Symptoms of Menopause

As women near menopause, they can begin experiencing any of the following symptoms:

irregular periods
chills and/or hot flashes
vaginal dryness
sleep problems, including night sweats
mood swings
slowed metabolism, resulting in unexplained weight gain
skin problems and thinning hair
breast changes, including a loss of fullness
inhibited sex drive or libido

Middle-aged to older women are cautioned to take better care of their overall health as a result of an increased risk of certain medical conditions. Post-menopausal are more likely to suffer from bone loss or osteoporosis as a result of hormonal changes or vitamin deficiencies. Decreased estrogen levels also result in an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, so controlling cholesterol and hypertension is especially important. The vagina and urethra become less flexible after menopause, so older women also experience decreased control over urinary function. Combined with vaginal dryness, these effects can also inhibit sexual desire and activity.

Since menopause is a natural condition, it’s not something that can be prevented or cured. However, women can make lifestyle changes and try treatments suggested by their doctors to help alleviate or diminish the severity of symptoms. New research has found that dietary supplements may also help women reduce their menopausal symptoms.

Vitamins for Menopause Relief

Vitamin A

There’s some debate in regard to the effects vitamin A has on the health of menopausal women. This is because preformed vitamin A, also called retinol, is stored in the liver, and too much of this compound can lead to liver toxicity. Some research also indicates that vitamin A increases the risks of hip fractures in women. This effect was not found when vitamin A was delivered in the form of beta-carotene. In this case, vitamin A may actually boost bone health.

Vitamin B-12

This may be one of the most essential vitamins for menopause because it helps with bone health, red blood cell count and brain function. As people age, a vitamin B-12 deficiency becomes more common, so it’s more important to take a B-12 supplement to boost your supply of this vitamin to healthier levels. Women aged 14 and up should be getting at least 2.4 micrograms of B-12 on a daily basis. Vitamin B-12 is primarily found in red meat, poultry, fish and dairy products.

Vitamin B-6

This nutrient is vital to the production of serotonin, which is a hormone responsible for regulating mood. Post-menopausal women commonly experience a B-6 deficiency, which is why mood swings and depressive episodes are more common for older women. By the same token, mood can be better regulated by increasing your intake of vitamin B-6. Taking a supplement can help alleviate depression or reduce the frequency of depressive episodes.

Vitamin D

Most people have a vitamin D deficiency because the best source of this nutrient is direct sunlight. Since skin cancer is also a concern, people tend to limit their exposure to sunlight, however, in short bursts, the sun’s rays can have positive effects on your health.

It’s especially important for post-menopausal women because it boosts bone strength, prevents the loss of bone density and lowers the risks of fractures. Women over 50 should be getting a minimum of 20 mcg of vitamin D each day. In addition to taking a supplement, you can also find this in the oil from fatty fish or in cheese or egg yolks. Fortified cereals also contain vitamin D.

Can Estrogenic Herbs Relieve Menopausal Symptoms?

Estrogenic herbs are natural plants that contain compounds that resemble the estrogen in human women. Because of their structural similarity to estrogen, once ingested, the compounds in estrogenic herbs act as weak estrogens in the body. As such, consuming estrogenic herbs can be effective in reducing or eliminating many symptoms of menopause. In particular, women who have taken estrogenic herbs have reported that headaches, night sweats and inhibited libido were alleviated by the use of the herbs.

Some common sources of estrogenic herbs are red clover, soy and dong quai. While you can find these in many health food stores, it’s more convenient to get these herbs together in a single supplement. Menochron is an example of a high-quality supplement that’s engineered to help soothe the symptoms of menopause. In addition to containing estrogenic herbs, these types of supplements also often contain daily servings of other important vitamins and nutrients.

In addition to adding a supplement to your daily routine, your doctor may suggest more dietary or lifestyle changes to help you manage menopausal symptoms. While each woman experiences menopause symptoms differently, the symptoms can usually be managed better by giving the body the nutrients it needs. Since most symptoms, including hot flashes and diminished libido, result from vitamin deficiencies, ingesting more nutrients and reducing the consumption of processed foods may provide the best solution.

Work-family Conflict Affects Women More Than Men

Sep 25 by Ewcopywriting

We all know that stress can affect physical health in a number of ways, partially because it weakens the immune system. Studies have also found that stress influences cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke. In a recent study, it was found that the stress caused by trying to balance work and family, or work-family conflict affects women more than men, contributing to this risk. This may be one reason women face a greater risk overall of suffering from a cardiovascular event.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels all fall under the broader term of cardiovascular disease, and many of those conditions are caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition resulting from plaque accumulation on the walls of the arteries, which causes blood flow to become inhibited. Since blood flows more slowly, clots can form that block blood from passing through the arteries and reaching the brain, heart and other vital organs, boosting the probability that a stroke or heart attack will occur.

There are certain factors that can increase your risk for developing cardiovascular disease, which are listed below.

Age

As we get older, the heart grows weaker and the arteries constrict or grow more narrow.

Gender

Early in life, men face a greater risk. However, as women get older and experience menopause, their risks increase significantly.

Heredity

A family history of heart disease increases risks for developing it later in life.

Smoking

Nicotine causes your blood vessels to narrow, while cigarette smoke also weakens the blood vessel walls from the inside.

Poor Diet

Fat, sugar, cholesterol and salt all contribute to the buildup of plaque in the blood vessels.

Poor Health

Other conditions that raise your risks include obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and stress.

Most people may suspect that they suffer from cardiovascular disease because the symptoms are not difficult to recognize. Primarily, symptoms include chest pains, including tightness and general discomfort in the chest. These episodes are typically accompanied by shortness of breath or labored breath. It’s common for the blood vessels in the legs and arms to become constricted and weakened as well. When this occurs, you’ll feel numbness, weakness or pain in your limbs. The limbs may also feel cold. Pain may also be felt in the jaw, throat, neck, back or upper abdomen.

How Does Work-Family Conflict Stress Affect Cardiovascular Health?

Recent research examining how work-family conflict affects women has found that stress, which is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is greater for women who struggle to maintain a balance between work and family life. The researchers looked over 27 studies to find a correlation between work-related stress and a higher risk of developing certain cardiovascular diseases. In particular, work-related stress was associated with a higher risk for experiencing stroke and coronary heart disease.

Taking it a step further, a newer study looked specifically at how trying to establish a proper work-family balance affected stress and cardiovascular risks. They looked at several lifestyle factors to help them gain an accurate understanding of these correlations, including diet, blood pressure and physical activity. The study sought to identify how stress caused by both work and by family pressure affected stress and health.

The Brazilian study examined a group of 11,000 subjects, ranging in ages from 35 through 74. Education and work backgrounds varied among the subjects, although women made up a higher portion of the individuals in the group. In addition to recording blood pressure and cardiovascular health, subjects were asked to complete surveys that examined how their jobs and family lives affected one another.

More women than men reported that their work lives interfered with their family lives, while both genders reported similar interference of their family lives on their work lives. It was also found that, when looking solely at job stress in general, the levels were fairly equal between the two sexes. Researchers believe the disparities noted are due to the fact that women may feel a greater need to try to maintain their traditional role in the home as they pursue careers. The way that work-family conflict affects women creates greater levels of stress than in men, who may not ordinarily face that same situation.

How Can You Protect Your Cardiovascular Health?

Ditch the Empty Calories

One of the first things you should do to protect cardiovascular health is to get rid of foods that don’t contribute to good heart health. Primarily, this means throwing out items that are high in calories and low in nutritional value. Soda pop, baked goods and sugary cereals top that list.

Take a Supplement

You can also add a dietary supplement to your routine that promotes better heart health. For example, Cardiochron contains vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants that specifically support healthier cardiovascular functioning. It also helps your body fight free radicals while ensuring that your cellular health is better protected.

Snack Smart Throughout Your Day

Rather than eating three big meals every day, it’s important to eat wisely. It’s best to start off with a moderate breakfast that includes good natural sources of protein and fiber. An omelet that’s prepared with fresh veggies is one suggestion. For the remainder of the day, choose healthy snacks to munch on periodically, such as almonds, carrot sticks and cheese. This will help you eat less at dinner.

Get More Exercise

The minimum requirement for physical activity is 30 minutes of moderate- to high-intensity exercise every day. However, you should try to get more physical activity than that each day. You can choose the parking space that’s furthest from the entrance, take the stairs instead of the elevator or ride a bicycle to run errands to increase the amount of exercise you do.

Sleep Better Every Night

Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of sleep. This is a restful period for the body, but it also gives your brain and body time to recover. You should put away electronic devices at least one hour before bed and use that time to engage in relaxing activities. You can read, meditate or listen to music. When it is time for bed, be sure your room is cool and relaxing. You may have to buy new bedding that’s more comfortable or wear earplugs and a sleep mask to sleep more soundly.

Effects of Probiotics May Differ in Men and Women

Dec 18 by Ewcopywriting

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that comprise the flora of an individual’s digestive tract. However, unlike potentially harmful organisms, these bacteria help promote healthy digestion and overall general health. Specifically, probiotics, or “friendly bacteria,” help the body process foods and curtail or eliminate several digestive problems such as gas, bloating, indigestion and diarrhea. A healthy gut microbiome also contributes to immune system health, among other things. Incorporating probiotic-rich foods in your diet or supplementing with a probiotic formula can help ensure a healthy gut microbiome; however, new research suggests the effects of probiotics may differ in women and men.

The Connection Between Probiotics and the Immune System

Scientists opine that aside from maintaining a healthy digestive system, probiotics also exert a positive impact upon other bodily systems including the skin, the reproductive tract and oral health. That said, researchers also stress that these substances play a most crucial role in maintaining optimal immune-system health.

Relatively recent scientific studies have found that probiotics may be receptive to certain genes that stimulate the body’s immunity. Further investigation has concluded that the administration of probiotics might prove effective in treating or potentially preventing autoimmune disorders like eczema, nasal and systemic allergies and possibly certain viral infections.

Healthy Intestinal Flora Support the Immune System

The vast majority of the bacteria found inside the body, both good and bad, are situated within a section of the large intestine. This region is called the gut microbiome. Scientists say more than 1,000 types of microscopic organisms reside here and many of them execute important systemic functions.

Many issues can impact gut flora such as illnesses, the foods and beverages you consume, the use of medications like antibiotics, lifestyle habits and stress. However, if any one of the preceding issues upsets this balance, the afflicted person could stand at greater risk of developing a host of ailments. Thus, maintaining an optimal balance of healthy gut flora is crucial to one’s general health.

The Effects Of Probiotics on Men and Women

Recent research has discovered that probiotics might impact men and women in different ways. Intending to put this theory to the test, a team of English scientists representing Reading University studied the impact probiotics had on both male and female infant piglets.

In the study, researchers administered pro- and prebiotic products to each subject and then carefully examined immune system components of both genders. They discovered that, at approximately one-month old, discernible differences could be noted between the males and females regarding the composition of immune cells, antibodies and immune system molecules.

Male and female subjects were administered a variety of different substances. In certain instances, each gender experienced far different reactions. Researchers suggest that such occurrences might indicate that each gender’s bodies and immune systems develop differently. Therefore, pro- and prebiotics that produce a certain response in one sex may not in the other.

The Importance of These Findings

The study’s lead researcher opined that gender has a profound impact on how the immune system develops. With this in mind, it becomes evident that probiotics, while healthy and vital to one’s general health, are not necessarily a one-size fits all type of product. Certain probiotic and prebiotic substances are more likely to yield better results based upon how they interact with the body chemistry of the individual ingesting them. Furthermore, the researchers believe that probiotics could play an important role in addressing specific illnesses; however, gender will be a critical factor for those conducting future research studies.

How to Balance Gut Flora

Despite the study’s findings, researchers also opine that the ingestion of pre- and probiotics is still critical to optimal health. Fortunately, probiotic and prebiotic ingestion can be achieved by:

Consuming Certain Foods

Numerous foods contain prebiotic/probiotic substances. Specific foods include:

Yogurt

Yogurt is well-known for containing gut-stabilizing flora. However, not all yogurt contains these substances. It is important to check the labels and purchase only products designated as containing probiotics.

Produce

Several fruits and vegetables are rife with prebiotics. The substances are especially plentiful in onions, garlic, artichokes, leeks, pickles, cabbage, asparagus and bananas.

Cheese

Certain cheeses contain high levels of probiotics. The ones considered most plentiful are gouda, cottage cheese, cheddar and mozzarella.

Soy-Based Products

Spices and other products that contain soy such as miso, tempeh and tofu are all valuable and fruitful sources of probiotics.

Taking a Probiotic Supplement

Fortunately, individuals who do not frequently consume dairy products or produce can still ingest adequate supplies of prebiotics and probiotics through supplementation. Look for a high-quality formula that provides both prebiotic and probiotic ingredients, such as Florachron. Proper usage of this product can help the intestinal tract achieve or maintain an optimal balance of bacteria. That said, supplementation should not be viewed as a means of curing any potential health issue. Prebiotic and probiotic supplements should be used in conjunction with a nutritious diet and a healthy lifestyle.