Bifidobacterium Breve: The Health Benefits Of Probiotics

The benefits of probiotics are numerous, but did you know different bacterial strains provide different benefits? While all of them are helpful for digestion, not all probiotics are equal. This fact has led to a lot of confusion. Let’s clear up a few questions and take a closer look at one specific probiotic strain your body depends on: Bifidobacterium breve.

Bifidobacterium breve: The Health Benefits of Probiotics

It can be a difficult task to understand there are good bacteria but your gut is home to many of them, and they’re called probiotics. The term “pro-” means “for” and “-biotic” stands for “life.” So, probiotics translate “for life.” All the bacterial strains grouped under this term share one thing in common – they work with your body and have positive effects on your health. Think of them as friendly bacteria. Here’s two key benefits.

Probiotics Support Digestion

These friendly bacteria digest sugars, starches, and carbs into nutrients your body can easily digest, and they also break down fiber. ^[1] If you have trouble digesting fiber, it may mean you don’t have enough probiotic bacteria in your gut. On top of all this, your gut is the gateway all nutrients pass through to get to every cell in your body. When your gut isn’t working right, you lose a lot of these nutrients, and the body is at a greater risk for nutritional deficiency.

Probiotics Strengthen the Immune System

It turns out probiotics are your first line of defense against invading bacteria like E. coli, C. difficile, and H. pylori. ^[2] Considering that 80% of your immune cells are in the gut, it makes sense that probiotics protect the immune response. Probiotics line the surface of your intestines, preventing germs from attacking you and making you sick. And some, like B. breve, even inhibit them from doing anything other than pass through (and out) your digestive tract.

More Benefits of Probiotics

But this doesn’t come close to all of the benefits of probiotics. Scientists also report people who have balanced probiotic levels:

• Are less likely to become depressed. ^[3]


• Focus and concentrate more easily.


• Have fewer blood sugar spikes and instances of high blood sugar. ^[4]


• Enjoy healthy, strong bones. ^[5]


• Experience fewer allergies. ^[6]


• Have better overall heart and vascular health.

And many people report the easing up of skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne after taking probiotics. It’s unlikely to know whether or not probiotics actually affect skin health directly, but many dermatologists recommend it when administering antibiotics–a whole other story in itself.

Not All Probiotic Strains Are Equal

Mainstream food manufacturers want you to think all probiotics are the same, but nothing could be further from the truth. Probiotic bacteria differ from one species to another. Some specialize in immune support, some produce vitamins, and some breakdown different types of sugars and fiber.

There’s even difference between the strains of the same species. To help add clarity, scientists have added strain identifiers to the end of the name. So you might see L. acidophilus labeled with DDS-1, or B. infantis 36624. Some probiotic strains are little powerhouses. Often, these are bacteria you have when you’re born and diminish as you age due to exposure to germs, antibiotics, pesticides, and foods loaded with artificial sugars like HFCS.

Prebiotics: Probiotics’ Better Half

Organisms like B. breve use fiber, inulin, and natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables as food, or prebiotics. Prebiotics feed your probiotic bacteria, keeping them hearty and robust. Simply increasing your fiber intake through whole plant foods can be helpful. Supplementation with inulin or gum acacia can also be extremely helpful for supporting B. breve population.

Bifidobacterium breve: A Probiotic Strain You Want

This powerhouse probiotic bacteria plays a key role in your health. B. breve also protects colon function, alleviates constipation, and reduces gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Additionally, it stimulates your immune system, inhibits E. coli, and suppresses the fungus Candida. While there’s always a big focus on the positive effect of probiotics on digestion, B. breve has proven effective in reducing oral candida in the elderly. ^[7] This helps prevent the spread of candida to other areas of the body, like the gut. Researchers speculate that many cases of Irritable Bowel Disease may be a result of a Candida infestation. ^[8]

Kombucha, water kefir, and raw sauerkraut are excellent food sources of probiotics. Supplements are another way to get the probiotics you need. But make sure it’s a high-quality supplement. For B. breve, it should have CFUs (colony forming units) around 3 billion, and your supplement should use microencapsulation to make sure these friendly bacteria survive digestion so you get the best result.

References:

1. Balakrishnan M, Floch MH. Prebiotics, probiotics and digestive health. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2012 Nov;15(6):580-5. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0b013e328359684f.


2. Mondel M, Schroeder BO, Zimmermann K, et al. Probiotic E. coli treatment mediates antimicrobial human beta-defensin synthesis and fecal excretion in humans. Mucosal Immunol. 2009 Mar;2(2):166-72. doi: 10.1038/mi.2008.77.


3. Mohammadi AA, Jazayeri S, Khosravi-Darani K, et al. The effects of probiotics on mental health and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in petrochemical workers. Nutr Neurosci. 2015 Apr 16.


4. Al-Salami H, Butt G, Fawcett JP, et al. Probiotic treatment reduces blood glucose levels and increases systemic absorption of gliclazide in diabetic rats. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2008 Apr-Jun;33(2):101-6.


5. Kolsoom Parvaneh, Rosita Jamaluddin, Golgis Karimi, and Reza Erfani. Effect of Probiotics Supplementation on Bone Mineral Content and Bone Mass Density. ScientificWorldJournal. 2014; 2014: 595962. doi: 10.1155/2014/595962.


6. Gui Yang, Zhi-Qiang Liu, and Ping-Chang Yang. Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis with Probiotics: An Alternative Approach. N Am J Med Sci. 2013 Aug; 5(8): 465-468. doi: 10.4103/1947-2714.117299.


7. Mendonca FH, Santos SS, Faria Ida S, et al. Effects of probiotic bacteria on Candida presence and IgA anti-Candida in the oral cavity of elderly. Braz Dent J. 2012;23(5):534-8.


8. Mukherjee PK, Sendid B, Hoarau G, et al. Mycobiota in gastrointestinal diseases. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Feb;12(2):77-87. doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2014.188.

The post Bifidobacterium Breve: The Health Benefits Of Probiotics appeared first on The Sleuth Journal.

How Probiotics Affect Your Health

Your gut is where digestion begins, it’s connected to your brain, and it’s at least 70% of your immune system. The bottom line — you can’t be healthy if your gut isn’t healthy. A diet free of refined sugar and artificial ingredients are part of the equation in promoting a healthy gut environment. Achieving a positive balance of bacteria is the other. Within your gut live colonies of friendly bacteria known as probiotics. When you have healthy, established colonies, it has positive effects on your health.

7 Ways Probiotics Affect Your Health

You’ve probably heard a lot about how probiotics help digestion. But probiotics, the bacteria that lives in your gut, affect much more than digestion. In fact, they have far-reaching effects for your health, and there are probably many more benefits to these good bacteria that we have yet to discover. Here’s a quick snapshot of 7 ways probiotics affect your health.

1. Soothes IBS

Nothing’s worse than enjoying a delicious meal and suffering from bloating, gas, or abdominal pain. It turns out altered gut bacteria, or “microbiota,” contributes to several forms of IBS. ^[1] Probiotics corrects the balance of gut bacteria you need for proper digestion. A study of 1,793 IBS sufferers found those who regularly consumed probiotics experienced less pain and fewer IBS symptoms than those who didn’t supplement with the bacteria. ^[2] Bacteria like L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium breve reduce the effects of digestive disorders like IBS, so make sure any probiotic you take contains these.

2. Encourages a Balanced Mood

The food-mood connection is very real, and you’ve probably experienced this on some occasions. If you’re not getting the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and protein, your mood suffers. One study found those who took probiotics responded better to a ‘sad mood’ and were able to stay more positive. ^[3] Another found those who ate yogurt with live cultures experienced less anxiety and stress than those who ate conventional yogurts that don’t have them. ^[4] When buying yogurt, make sure it states it contains live cultures; if it doesn’t, don’t waste your time.

3. Keeps your Brain Working Right

Your gastrointestinal tract and your brain are directly linked by the vagus nerve. When your gut isn’t working right, neither’s your brain. You need digestion to provide you essential fatty acids, B vitamins, and other minerals needed to keep your brain working right. Research does show probiotics could support focus, concentration, and even mental health, so be sure to incorporate this crucial supplement if you find you need help in these areas.

4. Diabetes

Lactobacillus probiotic bacteria convert starches and sugars into usable energy. Studies show this reduces the impact of sugars and starches on your blood glucose levels, liver, and reduces your risk for developing metabolic syndrome. ^[5]

5. Contributes to Healthy Skin

Your body has a few ways to expel wastes: through your lower digestive tract, your urinary tract, your breath, and your skin. Probiotics process many toxins that make their way into your digestive tract and help your body expel the ones already there. This allows your body to remove them through your lower GI tract than through the skin, as in the form of acne.

6. Tempers Allergic Responses

Many allergies have been linked to digestive disorders and altered gut bacteria. Researchers have found kids who take probiotics experience allergic conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, at a much reduced rate compared to those who don’t. ^[6] Lactobacillus proved very effective against atopic dermatitis in children ages 1-18, even four months after ending the probiotic regimen. ^[7] Eczema in babies and infants also showed improvement when mothers took probiotics in the final trimester of their pregnancies. ^[8]

7. Protects Your Heart

Many probiotic bacteria produce vitamins we need to stay healthy, like biotin and vitamin B12. Vitamin K2 is another important one produced by bacteria in the colon. It’s essential for calcium distribution in the bones of your body. Low levels of K2 lead to calcification of the arteries and heart disease, so to keep your heart going strong, make sure you’re regularly eating probiotic-rich foods.

Your Health and Probiotics

You can get probiotics a couple of ways: through foods like yogurt, natto, sauerkraut, and from probiotic supplements. Of course, probiotics aren’t the only way to keep your digestive system happy and healthy. You can also try enzymes and periodic colon and liver cleansing.

References:

1. Bennet SM1, Ohman L1, Simren M1. Gut microbiota as potential orchestrators of irritable bowel syndrome. Gut Liver. 2015 May 23;9(3):318-31. doi: 10.5009/gnl14344.


2. Didari T1, Mozaffari S1, Nikfar S1. Abdollahi M1.Effectiveness of probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome. World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Mar 14;21(10):3072-84. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i10.3072.


3. Steenbergen L1, Sellaro R2, van Hemert S3, Bosch JA4, Colzato LS5. A randomized controlled trial to test the effect of multispecies probiotics on cognitive reactivity to sad mood. Brain Behav Immun. 2015 Apr 7. pii: S0889-1591(15)00088-4. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2015.04.003.


4. Mohammadi AA, Jazayeri S, Khosravi-Darani K, Solati Z, Mohammadpour N, Asemi Z, Adab Z, Djalali M, Tehrani-Doost M, Hosseini M, Eghtesadi S. The effects of probiotics on mental health and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in petrochemical workers. Nutr Neurosci. 2015 Apr 16.


5. Razmpoosh E1, Javadi M1, Ejtahed HS2,3, Mirmiran P2. Probiotics as beneficial agents on the management of diabetes mellitus: a systematic review. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2015 May 11. doi: 10.1002/dmrr.2665.


6. Cao L1, Wang L, Yang L, Tao S, Xia R, Fan W. Long-term effect of early-life supplementation with probiotics on preventing atopic dermatitis: A meta-analysis. J Dermatolog Treat. 2015 May 5:1-4.


7. Wang IJ1, Wang JY. Children with atopic dermatitis show clinical improvement after Lactobacillus exposure. Clin Exp Allergy. 2015 Apr;45(4):779-87. doi: 10.1111/cea.12489.


8. Cuello-Garcia CA1, Bro?ek JL2, Fiocchi A3, Pawankar R4, Yepes-Nuñez JJ5, Terracciano L6, Gandhi S7, Agarwal A7, Zhang Y8, Schünemann HJ9. Probiotics for the prevention of allergy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015 Jun 1. pii: S0091-6749(15)00636-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.04.031.

Shocking Information About Acid Reflux

You probably hear a lot about acid reflux, or perhaps you suffer from it yourself. But what exactly is acid reflux? Well, right at your stomach opening is a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Normally, the LES opens and closes as it’s supposed to, but sometimes it messes up. When that happens, your stomach acid can occasionally escape and flow backwards—that is, up into your esophagus—and if you’ve ever experienced reflux, you know you’re left with some pretty uncomfortable feelings. Not only is it acutely painful, but it can lead to serious health consequences.

Facts about Acid Reflux

Many over-the-counter medications on the market work to fight acid reflux after it starts, and it usually works. The issue with these drugs, however, is that they’re only treating symptoms of the disorder. Regardless of how much you use, symptoms usually flare back up, leading to an endless cycle of drug dependency. Even the commercials for these medications make it look like you can eat whatever you want as long as you have drugs in-hand.

Let’s look at the 4 most shocking facts about acid reflux:

1. Spicy Food Doesn’t Trigger Acid Reflux

All that spicy food you thought led to acid reflux? Well it turns out that might not be the trigger at all. A recent study from the director of Stanford’s Esophageal and Small Bowel Disorder Center suggests that only an unlucky few will actually have reflux triggered by certain foods. ^[1]

2. Acid Reflux Ruins Sleep and Causes Sleep Apnea

If you’ve ever tried to sleep with reflux symptoms, this might seem like a no-brainer, but there’s recent evidence suggesting acid reflux can significantly affect quality of sleep. The same research also suggests it could cause an even serious disorder like sleep apnea. ^[2][3] Not only that, but the widespread effects can take their toll on overall quality of life—leading to loss of work productivity and increased economic burdens. ^[4]

3. Acid Reflux Often Coexists with IBS

Recent research suggests those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are also very likely to have acid reflux. ^[5] While both are fairly common gastrointestinal issues, the main view in clinical practice was that these two issues had no link. A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, however, suggests that the two are “actually parts of the same spectrum of diseases.”

4. Acid Reflux May Lead to Cancer

Some studies suggest acid reflux is connected to a higher chance of developing esophageal cancer. ^[6] While the exact link is still unknown, any increased risk for cancer is bad news. Another study suggests, though, that the risk could come from the reflux of stomach acid itself, and that the more reflux you experience and the longer you have it, the higher your risk for certain conditions. ^[7]

Something to Think About

But before you reach for your old standby remedy, all those conventional treatments can have some pretty serious side effects, including bacterial infections, fractures in postmenopausal women, and heart disease. ^[8][9][10] There’s an easy natural remedy though. Taking probiotics, to start, is always a smart option for all ages; it’s thought to be particularly effective in newborns to help reduce gastrointestinal symptoms. ^[11]

How do you deal with acid reflux? Tell us in the comments.

References:

1. Kaltenbach, T. et al. Are lifestyle measures effective in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease? An evidence-based approach. Archives of Internal Medicine. 166 (9).

2. Lacy, B. et al. Functional Dyspepsia Is Associated With Sleep Disorders. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 9 (5).

3. American College of Gastroenterology. ‘Silent’ Nighttime Acid Reflux Symptoms Can Cause Poor Sleep And Sleep Apnea. ScienceDaily.

4. Mody, R. et al. Effects of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease on Sleep and Outcomes. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 7 (9).

5. Yarandi, S. S. et al. Overlapping gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome: Increased dysfunctional symptoms. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 16 (10).

6. Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Studies Find Association Between Acid Reflux And Esophageal Cancer. ScienceDaily.

7. Souza, R. Acid, Bile, and CDX: the ABCs of making Barrett’s metaplasia. American Journal of Physiology: Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology. 295 (2).

8. Gray, S. L. et al. Proton Pump Inhibitor Use, Hip Fracture, and Change in Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women: Results From the Women’s Health Initiative. JAMA Internal Medicine. 170 (9).

9. Linsky, A. et al. Proton Pump Inhibitors and Risk for Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection. JAMA Internal Medicine. 170 (9).

10. Ghebremariam, Y. T. et al. An Unexpected Effect of Proton Pump Inhibitors: Elevation of the Cardiovascular Risk Factor ADMA. Circulation. 128.

11. Indrio, F. et al. Prophylactic Use of a Probiotic in the Prevention of Colic, Regurgitation, and Functional Constipation. JAMA Pediatrics. 168 (3).

The Amazing Healing Properties Of Fermented Foods

Between the hard and fast dichotomies of cooked and raw, dead and alive, is this beautiful thing called fermented.  A place where many of the digestive challenges associated with raw foods (e.g. enzyme inhibitors, anti-nutrients, lectins) are overcome in favor of not just preserving their benefits (e.g. enzyme activity, vitamin content, life energy), but amplifying them. Also overcome are the adverse consequences of cooking, e.g. enzyme destruction, vitamin activity degradation, oxidized fats, denatured proteins, etc., while still benefiting from the enhanced digestibility and assimilation that certain cooking applications offer. Fermented food is in many ways the complementary union of cooked and raw, as well as their transcendence – an image, not unlike the Tai Chi, comes to mind.

In fact, fermentation has almost heretical power in the realm of both medicine and nutrition, being quite capable of literally “raising the dead,” as well, revitalizing and infusing with living and breathing energy a food ingredient that has been cooked into oblivion, or, a human whose body has been poisoned close to the point of death with antibiotics, or similarly biocidal drugs or chemicals.

There is no lack of scientific confirmation for the indisputable value of fermented food for the promotion of health and wellbeing. In fact, one could consider fermented foods like kimchi, natto, apple cider vinegar, and even – in moderation – wine, coffee, chocolate and beer, ‘medical foods’ of sorts.  At GreenMedInfo we have been indexing these functional applications in disease prevention and treatment straight from the research housed on National Library of Medicine, and have found over 140+ diseases that may be prevented or ameliorated by their use. [see: Fermented Food Health Benefits Research]

There are a broad range of fermented foods we could look at to illustrate their power to heal. After all, every single culture on the planet used (not a semantic coincidence:) culturing to sustain themselves.  But for this short article we will focus on Asian traditional preparations, since there is already such a huge body of clinical research demonstrating their amazing health effects:

• Kimchi – a probiotic strain isolated from the fermented cabbage preparation kimchi known as Lactobacillus brevis is capable of degrading organophosphorus pesticides.


• Kimchi – a probiotic strain known as Bacillus pumilus found within this fermented food is capable of degrading bisphenol A, a powerful endocrine disruptive chemical.


• Miso – a fermented soy food has been shown, when consumed regularly, to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women by up to 54%.


• Miso – capable of regressing colon cancer growth in the animal model.


• Natto – A fermented soybean extract that has been shown to suppress plaque buildup (as measured by the intima media thickness) in the arteries in an animal model.


• Natto – capable of contributing to nerve regeneration following sciatic nerve crush injury.

This is, of course, only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to illustrating the remarkable properties of fermented food. We encourage our readers to take a look at our extensive database on the subject of the health benefits of fermented food.

Another important point to make about fermented food is that it generates an entirely novel set of nutrients and medically important phytocompounds, in addition to what is found in the starter culture ingredients themselves.  This is not unlike what happens when we consume a raw or cooked food, and the beneficial bacteria within our gut go to work to break down anti-nutrients, or secrete enzymes we ourselves are not capable of producing, or at least not in adequate quantities.  There is something known as the food metabolome. It is that set of small-molecule metabolites of foods – numbering over 3,500 – that are byproducts of our organism interacting with food to produce novel new byproducts.  For example, flaxseed contains high levels of lignans, which once thrown into the fermentive crucible of our digestive process, are broken down into at least two important metabolic byproducts: enterlactone and enterodial – both which are phytoestrogens, and are largely responsible for flaxseed’s tumor regressive actions in estrogen sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate cancer.  These two compounds only exist in between the human organism and the flaxseed organism, and would not exist without the “third organism,” if you will, which is the vast populations of beneficial bacteria within our alimentary canal.  So important are these microflora to our existence, that some scholars have suggested we reclassify ourselves as a “meta-organism,” as we are a composite of a wide range of organisms – in fact, 10 times more numerous are these “other” organisms than our own cells. Indeed, as we discussed in a previous article, even our own mitochondria – the powerhouses of our cells – were once bacteria living outside of our bodies.

Ultimately, a return to fermented foods are a return to our own ground of being, and well-being. There are profound challenges that stand in our way, of course. The modern world nukes its food, yes, with literal nuclear waste.  We microwave, we cook, we fry, we dehydrate, we spray our food into certain death. And now new research shows that even the very food starter bacteria normally found within healthy soil are being decimated by Monsanto’s ROUNDUP herbicide glyphosate, which is destroying its microbial biodiversity and hence fertility. Certain regions of the world that have depended on these indispensable dairy-culturing organisms for countless generations now have none to be found.

So, we must hunker down. And work on cooperating locally to produce, and support the producers of, organically grown food. Sharing raw cultures.  Becoming intimately involved with the quality of the food we consume. And remembering that fermented food is one of the key, if not indispensable ingredients in attaining and maintaining optimal health. And furthermore, that one cannot separate out personal or human health from planetary health; they are, and always have been indivisible.

© July, 2017 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.

How To Keep Your Digestive System Healthy

Your digestive system is where it all begins. You can’t produce energy, support your mood, or fight infections if you can’t digest, break down, and absorb nutrients. There are many simple things you can do to keep your digestive system healthy, many of which are completely free. Whether it’s exercise, stress reduction, or even enzyme or probiotic supplementation, all can provide enormous benefit to digestive processes.

5 Tips for Healthy Digestion

Digestion begins in the mouth when you begin to chew. In fact, just the act of chewing thoroughly can take a huge strain off your digestive system by prompting your body to provide enzymes to help digestion. Here are a few other things you can do to promote healthy digestion.

1. Follow a Clean Diet

Bananas contain approximately 15-20 percent of your daily fiber needs. Bananas also contain fructooligosaccharide, which is a natural compound that encourages growth of beneficial bacteria. This bacteria–termed “probiotics”–is responsible for a myriad of activities in your body, including facilitating the appropriate digestion and elimination of food. ^[1] This goes to show that diet, particularly a natural plant-based diet, is incredibly powerful for keeping your digestive system in check.

Green vegetables will also help keep your digestive system healthy for their high amounts of fiber, relatively low carbohydrate and sugar load, and good amounts of water. Foods like kale, spinach, wheatgrass, and alfalfa are all good choices to integrate into your diet. Broccoli sprouts are unsurpassed in their ability to stimulate enzymes that detoxify the digestive system. ^[2]

2. Exercise

Another thing you can do to benefit your digestive tract is to do some simple, daily exercises. The colon functions much more effectively when abdominal muscles are strong and consistently in motion. Crunches are an excellent way to strengthen these muscles and to improve your appearance at the same time, but simple walking can keep your digestive system healthy by improving blood flow to the intestines and colon. One study showed that women who walk daily were 31% less likely to develop colon cancer. ^[3]

3. Therapeutic Herbs

There are also herbs that can benefit your digestive tract. Two common varieties include organic cilantro and organic dandelion leaf. Cilantro oil is an enzymatic stimulant. It also helps our intestines secrete digestive acids and juices, and it adds fiber to the digestive process. Some people use cilantro to relieve stomach gas and flatulence. Organic dandelion leaf helps detoxify the digestive tract and help stimulate it when it becomes sluggish. It is one of the best herbs to take for promoting optimal digestive function.

4. Meditation

You can’t discount the effect of your mental health on your physical health. Stress is one of the most pervasive killers in our society. And while we can’t control every circumstance that causes stress, we can change the way we respond. When we’re stressed, our body goes into the “fight or flight” mode, switching off our digestion so we can run away or deal with the problem head on. ^[4]Meditation is an excellent way to relax and reduce stress, and studies show that relaxation is a powerful method for improving digestive health.

5. Probiotics and Enzyme Supplementation

One of the most important things you can ever do to keep your digestive system healthy is to cleanse it on a regular basis. A probiotic such as Latero-Flora may be helpful for replenishing your body’s supply of beneficial bacteria which your digestive tract actually needs. If you suffer from digestive issues of any kind, an enzyme supplement like VeganZyme, which contains no animal products, is designed to be an overall enhancer of optimal, ongoing digestive health.

One Final Thought

If you’re experiencing occasional digestive upset, taking these tips to heart may be the starting off point for getting back into shape. Consult with your doctor to see if other options are available, or to see if you are experiencing a deeper issue, like IBS or gluten intolerance. Even then, there is always a root cause, and you should do what you can with diet, exercise, and simple lifestyle modifications to get your body into an optimal state of health. Not only will you experience dramatic shifts in your digestion, you may notice your mood and outlook, energy levels, and thinking becoming clearer.

What are your thoughts on improving digestion? Do you have any tips that work for you? Please share them with us in the comments!

References:

1. Gage J. Understanding the role of probiotics in supporting digestive comfort. Nurs Stand. 2009 Sep 30-Oct 6;24(4):47-55; quiz 56.


2. Shapiro TA, Fahey JW, Wade KL, Stephenson KK, Talalay P. Chemoprotective glucosinolates and isothiocyanates of broccoli sprouts: metabolism and excretion in humans. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2001 May;10(5):501-8.


3. Hannah Arem, Ruth M. Pfeiffer, Eric A. Engels, et al. Pre- and Postdiagnosis Physical Activity, Television Viewing, and Mortality Among Patients with Colorectal Cancer in the National Institutes of Health–AARP Diet and Health Study. Journal of Clinical Oncology. December 8, 2014. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2014.58.1355.


4. Teresa M Edenfield and Sy Atezaz Saeed. An update on mindfulness meditation as a self-help treatment for anxiety and depression. Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2012; 5: 131-141. doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S34937.

What Is Inulin?

We could all use digestive support from time to time, especially if we’re not consuming a high-quality diet. For a healthy stomach and digestive tract, inulin is a must. While you can’t digest this water-soluble dietary fiber, you won’t feel good without it. It’s found in many natural plant foods and is known as a prebiotic, and recent research indicates it has much more far-reaching effects than just keeping your tummy happy.

What Inulin Does

This dietary fiber survives your stomach acid and passes into the small intestine. Along the way it mixes with water, ferments, and then becomes food for life-supporting probiotic bacteria of the large intestine. This bacteria includes things like bifidobacterium and lactobacilli. When you keep bacteria like these fed, they keep out unwanted bacteria like E. coli and Clostridium difficile and fungus like Candida.

Benefits of Inulin

Inulin has many researched benefits, including weight, cholesterol, and blood sugar support. Here are a few of the many benefits you can get from inulin.

Weight Loss

While inulin can help with weight loss, it’s not the entire picture. Eating healthy and exercise are also key components. When it comes to inulin and weight loss, a healthy digestive tract–and the symbiotic bacteria inulin promotes–moves the nutrients you need into your bloodstream and gets the toxins through so they do as little damage as possible. One study of 30 obese women found those who took inulin restored healthy bacteria and created a positive change on metabolites linked to obesity. ^[1]

Diabetes

A study of 49 women with diabetes reported those who took inulin responded better to sugar, had lower glycemic levels, and increased antioxidant activity. ^[2] While more research is needed, the importance of a healthy gut can’t be understated.

Keeps You Regular

You’ve probably heard how important fiber is for being regular. For the best outcomes, you want to get fiber, like inulin, to keep your gut bacteria fresh. In a study of elderly volunteers who took 15 grams of chicory root daily, researchers found that participants experienced improved digestion, fewer problems with constipation, and an easier time with bowel movements. ^[3]

How Much Inulin Do You Need?

There is no set limit for how much inulin you can have, or really how much you need. Typically, you want to eat inulin-rich foods every day to keep your digestive tract healthy and working right. If you’ve been taking antibiotics, you will want to increase inulin and maybe even supplement with the compound to replenish the intestinal bacteria that antibiotics wipe out. Alcohol, processed, sugary foods, and fried foods also kill off the healthy intestinal bacteria you need. So if you’re trying to right your diet, lose weight or overcome IBS or IBD, you will want to increase your inulin intake.

Great Sources of Inulin

Inulin can be obtained through supplements; however, it is always best to get the ingredient closest to its natural source as possible. The best natural food sources of inulin include bananas, asparagus, Jerusalem artichoke, jicama, leeks, onions, garlic, and chicory and dandelion root. Many supplements feature chicory as their source of inulin. Fun fact: chicory root and dandelion root are commonly used in herbal coffee formulations for their bitter flavors and rich dark colors.

If your diet’s been high in processed foods and sugars, start slow. Too much of this dietary fiber too quickly can lead to bloating, gas, diarrhea, and intestinal discomfort like IBS. But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat foods high in inulin. If natural, real foods–like bananas–upsets your stomach, it likely means your system is out of whack. Starting with an inulin supplement allows you to control how much you get and avoid the unpleasant side effects commonly associated with this essential dietary fiber.

References:

1. Dewulf EM1, Cani PD, Claus SP, Fuentes S, Puylaert PG, Neyrinck AM, Bindels LB, de Vos WM, Gibson GR, Thissen JP, Delzenne NM. Insight into the prebiotic concept: lessons from an exploratory, double blind intervention study with inulin-type fructans in obese women. Gut. 2013 Aug;62(8):1112-21. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2012-303304.


2. Pourghassem Gargari B1, Dehghan P, Aliasgharzadeh A, Asghari Jafar-Abadi M. Effects of high performance inulin supplementation on glycemic control and antioxidant status in women with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Metab J. 2013 Apr;37(2):140-8. doi: 10.4093/dmj.2013.37.2.140.


3. Marteau P1, Jacobs H, Cazaubiel M, Signoret C, Prevel JM, Housez B. Effects of chicory inulin in constipated elderly people: a double-blind controlled trial. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2011 Mar;62(2):164-70. doi: 10.3109/09637486.2010.527323.

What Is Male Fern Root?

Male fern root, also known as Dryopteris filix-mas, Bear’s paw, Knotty Brake, and Sweet Brake, has been used for centuries as a defense against harmful organisms. ^[1] Beyond that, the male fern root also offers other health benefits for humans such as digestive support and detoxification.

Origins of Male Fern

Male fern is native to the temperate climates of Asia, Europe, and much of South and North America. The plant is highly adaptable and can grow well in both arid and fertile soils. The root of the male fern, usually harvested in early autumn, is dried for therapeutic purposes.

As far back as 103 A.D., Greek and Roman physicians used the male fern root to help expel harmful organisms from the intestines and digestive tract. In fact, it is rumored that Louis XVI of France paid large sums of money to add this powerful fern to his own medicine chest.

How Does Male Fern Root Work?

The male fern root is loaded with cleansing compounds known as filicin and filmarone. These essential oils are responsible for eradicating harmful organisms by creating a harsh intestinal environment that is toxic to harmful intestinal organisms. ^[2]

Studies also show that male fern root’s oleo-resins cause harmful organisms in the intestines to become immobile, preventing them from attaching themselves to the interior lining of human intestinal walls. In both human and animal case studies, male fern root was shown to have a dramatic effect on eliminating harmful organisms both inside and outside of the GI tract.

Health Benefits of Male Fern Root

Male fern root is also rich in antioxidants, folic acid, phloroglucinol derivatives, and several other necessary trace essential oils which promote overall digestive health.

Traditionally cited benefits of male fern root include:

• Powerful astringent


• Promotes harmful organism cleansing


• Supports digestive health


• Natural intestinal cleanser


• Encourages normal liver function

Supplementing With Male Fern Root

Male fern root works to establish an environment in the body that is inhospitable to harmful invaders. Have you used it? I’d love to hear from people who’ve had first hand experience. Leave a comment below and share your tips with us.

References:

1. Herbs 2000. Male Fern. Herbs 2000.


2. James Copland, MD. A Dictionary of Practical Medicine. New York. 1869.

The Health Benefits Of Pectinase

Commonly found in many fruits such as bananas and apples, pectinase plays a key role not only in the digestive processes, but also, and perhaps more importantly, in total physical well-being and anti-aging.

Pectin is a type of fiber that makes up the cell wall of many types of fruits and vegetables. It is composed of long polysaccharides that form a gelatinous substance in the center of the plant cell wall and between plant cells. It occurs primarily in the non-woody parts of plants, which, of course, are the parts that most likely to be consumed.

Pectin is a part of our diet not only because of its presence in the fruits and vegetable, but it is also used extensively as a gelling and thickening agent in processed foods, particularly as a thickener in jams and jellies. Pectinase, along with cellulase and hemicellulase, helps with the digestion of plant-based foods, increasing their nutritional and prebiotic value.

During the ripening process plants generally use pectinase to hydrolyze (break down) some of the pectin in and between the cell walls making the cell walls weaker, and therefore soft and edible. This means that when you test an apple or tomato at the grocery store or, even better, before plucking it out of the garden, you are actually checking in part to see if pectinase has become more active indicating that the fruit is ripe and ready to eat.

Health Benefits of Pectinase

1. Promotes Growth and Health of Intestinal Microbiota

Animal research using apple pectin, a widely used type in food processing, demonstrated impressive affects on beneficial gut bacteria including an increase in production of specific short chain fatty acids that provide ideal pH conditions for these bacteria. This is particularly promising since the human gut contains the same type of beneficial bacteria as noted in the research.

2. Provides Fuel for Colon Lining

In addition to helping provide a hospitable environment for beneficial bacteria, fatty acids like butyrate help to provide a large percentage of the fuel necessary for the colon. This can positively influence mucosal blood flow, intestinal motility, and the permeability of the gut. Maintaining these aspects of intestinal health are paramount to guarding proper absorption and helping to reduce the threat of absorption of potential allergens through the gut.

3. Increases Digestibility and Absorption of Plant-Foods

Animals studies show that adding pectinase to livestock feed can aid the digestive process in animals, allowing them better access to nutrients and minerals.

How to Read the Units of Measurement for Pectinase

Pectinase is measured by the FCC in AJDU’s (Pectinase Unit/ml or g). This is a measure of the hydrolysis of various hemicellulose polymers into short-chain molecules and ultimately to 5-carbon sugars. One AJDU is based on the time needed to depectinize a 0.25% pectin containing buffered solution at pH 3.5 and 45°C. The FCC notation stands for Foods Chemical Codex and is a division of USP (United States Pharmacopeia). It sets standards for ingredients. In the case of enzymes, FCC is a standard assay used to accurately determine the activity of enzymes. The current compendium is FCC VI.

Where Can I Find The Best Source of Pectinase?

VeganZyme® contains a 100% vegan form of pectinase extracted from the fermentation of Aspergillus niger. It comes from all vegetarian, non-GMO sources, is kosher certified, gluten free, contains no animal product and is completely suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

VeganZyme is the most advanced full-spectrum systemic and digestive enzyme formula in the world and is free from fillers and toxic compounds. This formula contains digestive enzymes which help digest fats (lipids), sugars, proteins, carbohydrates, gluten, fruits and vegetables, cereals, legumes, bran, nuts and seeds, soy, dairy, and all other food sources.

VeganZyme may also be used as a systemic enzyme blend to break down excess mucus, fibrin, various toxins, allergens, as well as excess clotting factors throughout your body.

References:

1. Dr. Umesh L. Apple pectin as a novel prebiotic substance, that helps the intestinal microbiota. Med-Chemist. 2010 January 25.


2. Tine R Licht, Max Hansen, Anders Bergstrom, Morten Poulsen, Britta N Krath, Jaroslaw Markowski, Lars O Dragsted, Andrea Wilcks. Effects of apples and specific apple components on the cecal environment of conventional rats:role of apple pectin (PDF). Licht et al. BMC Microbiology. 2010. 10:13.


3. Susan S. Lang. In flurry of studies, researcher details role of apples in inhibiting breast cancer. Cornell University. 2009 February 12.


4. Sherry Baker. An apple a day keeps breast cancer away, six studies conclude. Natural News. 209 February 29.


5. Leonard R. Johnson. The Physiology of the gastrointestinal tract. Elsevier Academic Press. 2006.