Best Probiotics to Support Your Digestive and Immune Systems

Best Probiotics to Support Your Digestive and Immune Systems

January 31, 2019

What are Probiotics?

When we think or hear words like bacteria, viruses, germs etc. we often assume them to be bad. However, our body consists of trillions of bacteria that help us to maintain the health of our body. Surprised? Confused? Sounds weird?  If you have not heard the word probiotic before it is but obvious.

If you break down the word probiotic the literal meaning of it would be “for life”.Probiotics are living microorganisms rightly known as good bacteria. There are various types of probiotics and each one has a different characteristic. The most common probiotics are lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium. Lactobacillus is found in yogurt or in foods that have undergone a fermentation process. Bifidobacterium is also found in dairy products. Research has shown that including probiotics in your diet can actually increase your immunity and maintain the overall health of your gut. In addition, these “good” bacteria can actually lessen the severity of any allergies, reduce cholesterol levels and recurrent UTIs, improve your overall metabolism, aid in lowering blood pressure etc. Let us see in detail how it can affect your digestive and immune system.

How Probiotics can do wonders for your digestive and immune system

Patients who need to take severe antibiotics usually suffer from the side effect of diarrhea. The strong medication while targeting bad bacteria may also kill good bacteria. To compensate for this, the doctors often prescribe a supplement in the form of probiotic. Lactobacillus acidophilus, in particular, is highly recommended to patients suffering from antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Probiotics help in controlling the functioning of nerves present in the gut. Lactobacillus is helpful for patients who cannot digest lactose or sugar present in the milk. Nowadays probiotics are usually taken as an alternative or complementary medicine to maintain the overall health of your digestive system. Constipation is another condition caused due to improper digestion of food making the patient feel uncomfortable. This condition occurs mainly because the balance of intestinal flora is disturbed. This is where the probiotics will help you to balance the intestinal flora. It is also used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

When harmful bacteria dominate, gut health is disturbed. This, in turn, results in reducing the production of vital enzymes and vitamins. The immune system is thus weakened leading to serious health issues. In the earlier days the soil, water, and food had all the required good bacteria which we used to consume through the food we get. But the modern lifestyle has hampered their numbers. Moreover, things like tobacco consumption, processed foods, caffeine, antacids, reduce the number of good bacteria present in your body. Therefore it is essential to include probiotics to boost your gut health and immune system. These good bacteria protect the intestinal lining and don’t let the viruses enter in your blood. The pathogens are restricted from entering the gastrointestinal tract. These friendly bacteria enhance the functioning of enzymes resulting in better absorption of nutrients to the maximum capacity.

To conclude we can safely say that probiotics do wonders to our digestive system. They maintain the health of the gastrointestinal tract and prevent the invasion of harmful viruses, germs etc. thus increasing our immunity. However, if you are consuming a probiotic supplement it is best to take your doctor’s advice.

Top tips to help ease digestion

Top tips to help ease digestion

October 25, 2017

Start your day with a bowl of porridge

Fibre is essential for a healthy digestive system, as it  supports the functioning of the digestive track and removing unwanted toxins from your body. So start your day with a large bowl of oats, which are rich in fibre, and top with flaxseeds and berries. Oats are also a source of slow releasing energy and will therefore help to balance your sugar levels during the morning.

Get Moving

Movement can help to stimulate the digestive tract and move food along it, as well as helping to ease bloating and other IBS-type symptoms. Try a gentle and relaxing exercise such as yoga and pilates or even going for a brisk stroll. Such exercises can also help to relieve any stress or tension, which can otherwise contribute to digestive problems.

Swap your coffee for a turmeric latte

Swapping your favourite frothy coffee for a turmeric latte in the morning could help to ease your digestion throughout the day. This is due to the fact that turmeric is rich in cucurmin, which has anti-inflammatory properties and is particularly useful for inflammation in the gut.  Turmeric also helps to digest fat and supports the liver. If you aren’t a fan of turmeric lattes however, try adding the spice to dishes such as soups and curries, or try our CurQuMax supplement, which acts as a natural anti-inflammatory for the gut.

Chew, chew, chew

One of the most common causes of painful digestion, is quickly grabbing something to eat a hurry and on the go. Instead, give yourself time to sit down and eat each meal properly. Try to chew each mouthful until the food is liquid, this will help to make sure the food is properly digested and will encourage you to eat slower. Taking more time to properly savour your food, and help to prevent you from over eating and snacking mindlessly throughout the day.

Relax with magnesium

Magnesium helps to relax our muscles and nerves, which in turn can help to combat against cramping and constipation.  It can also help to increase the water levels in your intestines, which initiates a wave like motion that helps to aid digestive juices. Many of us don’t get enough magnesium in our diets, so try taking a supplement such as our Synergistic Magnesium and make sure you eat lots of dark leafy greens, nuts seeds, fish, whole grains and bananas which are all rich in the mineral.

Boost your good bacteria

The gut acts as the portal to the body, processing an enormous variety of food and absorbing a wide range of nutrients, as well as being exposed to a myriad of infectious agents and toxic substances. Looking after our gut health, by taking a probiotic supplement such as our EnzymeBiotix, can therefore help to prevent against any bloating and ease digestive discomfort.

Get back to flat

Get back to flat

March 1, 2017

Get back to flat: 12 do’s and dont’s to deflate your tummy

Belly sticking out? Don’t worry – we put together our top tips on how to de-bloat your tummy:

Limit cruciferous vegetables on your plate. Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage may cause bloating and excess wind. For some people these vegetables are not digested completely in the small intestines, sometimes due to a lack of enzymes. It means, that when they reach the large intestines, bacteria in that part of the gut can cause gas and bloating when breaking down those foods.

Stone fruits like plums are packed with sugar alcohols, which can ferment causing bloating and gas.

Cut down on diary. Some people don’t produce the enzyme lactase, which helps them break down lactose, a sugar found in milk. You need this enzyme in your body otherwise lactose ferments in the gut causing pain, gas and bloating. Try taking our Enzyme Digest to promote digestive ease and comfort.

Say no to croissants, cookies and pasta. Refined carbohydrates will have a higher glycemic index (GI) than unrefined carbs so they are broken down into glucose (sugar) more quickly which can cause bloating and gas. They can also often contain wheat, which can be a problem for people with IBS symptoms.

Limit spices. Some spicy foods can stimulate the release of stomach acid, which can cause irritation and others can ferment in the digestive system causing bloating.

Limit pulses. Certain foods such as beans, pulses and root vegetables are notorious for causing bloating and wind. Although these foods are good for you and are low in fat, try choosing salad vegetables such as salad leaves and tomatoes, which will not make you bloat.

Always chew food thoroughly. Try to chew each mouthful until the food is liquid – not only will this help to ensure that the food is properly digested, but it will also help you to eat slower.

Avoid large meals – eat less more often. Eating a large meal increases your feeling of fullness but means you will be more likely to eat more calories over the course of a day. Instead of eating three large meals a day, try four to six smaller meals spread out throughout the day.

Don’t reach for a diet coke. It might be low in calories, but the fizzy bubbles in carbonated diet drinks can cause gas to get trapped in your stomach and will cause bloating. Instead, drink water flavoured with lemon, lime, or cucumber or even a peppermint tea for a soothing beverage that may help reduce bloating. Not only are these great bloat-free alternatives but they will also help you to cleanse your the body.

Don’t chew chewing gum. It might keep your mouth busy and stop you reaching for the biscuit tin but chewing gum can also lead to swallowing air, which can cause bloating. It can also stimulate your digest enzymes causing them to ‘expect’ food, which can then stimulate hunger. If you do have to snack, it’s better to graze on a healthy, high-fiber snack like oatcakes, carrot batons or low fat popcorn.

Watch your salt intake. Never add extra salt to your food – not only is this bad for your heart and your blood pressure but especially for dieters, salt actually increases the amount of water that the body retains and can therefore make you bloated and feel heavier.

Avoid sweetener. Many people suffer from bloating because they consume too much sugar alcohol found in artificially sweetened foods and drinks, so it is important to avoid these sweeteners as much as possible.

Take probiotics. Re-balance ‘good bacteria’ in your gut, support digestion and reduce symptoms of lactose intolerance with prbiotics. Try our Mega 8 Biotix which contains 8 different strains of bacteria.[:eu]

Get back to flat: 12 do’s and dont’s to deflate your tummy

Belly sticking out? Don’t worry – we put together our top tips on how to de-bloat your tummy:

Limit cruciferous vegetables on your plate. Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage may cause bloating and excess wind. For some people these vegetables are not digested completely in the small intestines, sometimes due to a lack of enzymes. It means, that when they reach the large intestines, bacteria in that part of the gut can cause gas and bloating when breaking down those foods.

Stone fruits like plums are packed with sugar alcohols, which can ferment causing bloating and gas.

Cut down on diary. Some people don’t produce the enzyme lactase, which helps them break down lactose, a sugar found in milk. You need this enzyme in your body otherwise lactose ferments in the gut causing pain, gas and bloating. Try taking our Enzyme Digest to promote digestive ease and comfort.

Say no to croissants, cookies and pasta. Refined carbohydrates will have a higher glycemic index (GI) than unrefined carbs so they are broken down into glucose (sugar) more quickly which can cause bloating and gas. They can also often contain wheat, which can be a problem for people with IBS symptoms.

Limit spices. Some spicy foods can stimulate the release of stomach acid, which can cause irritation and others can ferment in the digestive system causing bloating.

Limit pulses. Certain foods such as beans, pulses and root vegetables are notorious for causing bloating and wind. Although these foods are good for you and are low in fat, try choosing salad vegetables such as salad leaves and tomatoes, which will not make you bloat.

Always chew food thoroughly. Try to chew each mouthful until the food is liquid – not only will this help to ensure that the food is properly digested, but it will also help you to eat slower.

Avoid large meals – eat less more often. Eating a large meal increases your feeling of fullness but means you will be more likely to eat more calories over the course of a day. Instead of eating three large meals a day, try four to six smaller meals spread out throughout the day.

Don’t reach for a diet coke. It might be low in calories, but the fizzy bubbles in carbonated diet drinks can cause gas to get trapped in your stomach and will cause bloating. Instead, drink water flavoured with lemon, lime, or cucumber or even a peppermint tea for a soothing beverage that may help reduce bloating. Not only are these great bloat-free alternatives but they will also help you to cleanse your the body.

Don’t chew chewing gum. It might keep your mouth busy and stop you reaching for the biscuit tin but chewing gum can also lead to swallowing air, which can cause bloating. It can also stimulate your digest enzymes causing them to ‘expect’ food, which can then stimulate hunger. If you do have to snack, it’s better to graze on a healthy, high-fiber snack like oatcakes, carrot batons or low fat popcorn.

Watch your salt intake. Never add extra salt to your food – not only is this bad for your heart and your blood pressure but especially for dieters, salt actually increases the amount of water that the body retains and can therefore make you bloated and feel heavier.

Avoid sweetener. Many people suffer from bloating because they consume too much sugar alcohol found in artificially sweetened foods and drinks, so it is important to avoid these sweeteners as much as possible.

Take probiotics. Re-balance ‘good bacteria’ in your gut, support digestion and reduce symptoms of lactose intolerance with prbiotics. Try our Mega 8 Biotix which contains 8 different strains of bacteria.