Tagged with 'gut-health'

Fermentation is special because it creates beneficial enzymes, B-vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and various strains of probiotics. Your gut will love it!

This amped-up version of yogurt is a great way to eat more probiotics, and both dairy and dairy-free options are available.

These autoimmune superfoods will heal your gut and minimize attacks on your immune system.

We’ve all heard diabetes, smoking, and family history are among the top contributors of heart problems, but now research has uncovered some lesser known risk factors:

Your gut microbiome plays a much grander role in health than scientists ever anticipated. In fact, those microbes likely play a role in heart health.

Could it be possible cardiovascular disease has less to do with what we eat and more to do with your microbiome?

German researchers recently discovered that patients with heart failure had significantly fewer types of bacteria in their gut compared to healthy patients.

Eating a diet rich in fiber and plant-based foods like veggies, fruits, nuts, and seeds may help you maintain a healthier balance of gut bugs.

Check out our favorite gut nourishers, part 1 of 3. 

Top Probiotic Picks:

The head-heart connection should be on everyone’s radar. The biological and chemical factors that trigger mental health issues could also influence heart disease or stroke.

In one study, people with major depression or other severe mental health problems, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, had a 78% higher risk of developing heart disease than healthy people.

Chronic stress exposes the heart to unhealthy levels of stress hormones, like adrenaline and cortisol, which effects heart health.

Consider reducing stress via all-natural adaptogens. In particular, reishi mushroom has many benefits and has long been used to reduce stress and support the cardiovascular system.

Top Reisi Mushroom Picks:

Besides sugar’s link to diabetes, eating sugar raises blood sugar levels, which causes inflammation. Chronic inflammation wreaks havoc on blood vessels and tissues, which increases heart disease risk.

Top Blood Sugar Control Picks:

In one recent study, people who live in more polluted areas have larger, and weaker, hearts than those who live in cleaner regions – a good reminder to limit time outdoors when air quality is bad and to plan running routes on less-trafficked streets.

Unfortunately, our air is full of contaminants. One reliable way to determine your exposure to toxins is a hair mineral analysis. It tests for aluminum, arsenic, antimony, beryllium, cadmium, lead, mercury, uranium.

Top Detoxifying Picks:

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

References:

American Heart Association: Gut bacteria hold clues to heart health. 

Mental illness linked to increased risk of heart disease, stroke. 

JAMA: Internal Medicine: Added Sugar Intake and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality among US adults.

DiverticuLOSIS happens when pouches form in the wall of the colon. If these pouches get inflamed or infected, it is called diverticuLITIS. Ouch!

What Causes Diverticulitis?

Even though diverticulitis has been thoroughly studied, medical professionals still do not completely understand its cause. One belief is it’s due to a low fiber diet – when someone eats a low fiber diet, the intestines must work harder (push harder) to move digested food through the bowel. It’s believed this increased pressure is what causes the small pouches in the intestines to form. However, many people can have these pouches and never feel any pain from it while others suffer with fever, chills, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and belly pain (1).

The horrible symptoms are caused when food gets trapped in the pockets and the area becomes infected. One type of bacteria known to increase in people is the bacteria C. difficile, which is bacteria that naturally exists in the gut.

In the presence of inflammation and infection, the number of good gut bacteria decrease and can no longer keep the C. difficile in check. This however, is not the only bacteria that can flourish in the presence of infection caused by diverticulitis.

Manuka Honey and Diverticulitis

Although there aren’t any direct studies on manuka honey and diverticulitis, if we look at the research that exists on manuka honey and digestive disorders, we can draw the conclusion that manuka would be helpful to those who suffer from this condition.

Manuka has been reported to have an inhibitory effect on 60 species of bacteria, some species of fungi, and viruses (2). Therefore, it has the ability to limit bacteria growth and reduce the chances of an infection when food gets trapped in these pouches.

Manuka honey’s antibacterial agent methylglyoxal has been proven to work against a wide variety of pathogenic bacteria. In a study done in Wales, using Manuka 18+ provided evidence that manuka honey does exhibit bactericidal action against bacterial infection from C. difficile (3). The bacteria, C. difficile, is one of the most common bacterial infections to hospitalize people with gastrointestinal infections.

Manuka Honey and Gastrointestinal Infections

Oral administration of honey has also been found to protect against gastrointestinal infection through blocking the attachment of pathogenic microorganisms to the intestinal epithelium. This represents a potential strategy for disease prevention in the area of gastrointestinal infections, according to a study done in 2013.

Manuka Honey and Bifidobacterium

Manuka honey has also been found to increase and support the growth of Bifidobacterium via the presence of a variety of oligosaccharides (4). Bifidobacterium is one of the good gut bacteria that works to keep the gut healthy. Recent studies also suggest honey can inhibit inflammatory parameters caused by bacterial infections (2).

Purchasing Manuka Honey

But how do we know what or how much to take? This is a crucial aspect when using Manuka honey as an alternative treatment. The first step is to know where the manuka honey is from. Most studies have confirmed manuka from New Zealand or Australia have higher antibacterial properties than honey from other countries.

UMF and MGO Ratings Explained

If you have been trying to assess the strength of Manuka Honey products, you may have noticed two different labels on the honey containers. One being UMF, the other MGO, which are indicate high-grade activity. “Biologically Active” indicates a lower grade of activity.

UMF is an internationally registered trademark that can be used only by licensed users who meet set criteria which include auditing and monitoring to ensure the product is natural, unadulterated, Manuka honey that has the unique non-peroxide antibacterial activity and is true-to-label claim.

MGO ratings refer to the level of Methyglyoxal in the honey and is a trademark of Manuka Health New Zealand Ltd, and you will only see MGO labels on their own products.

Table of UMF and MGO comparison:

* MGO is measured as methylglyoxal mg/kg (ppm)

Manuka Honey Dosage

For use as an alternative treatment for intestinal infection and inflammation, 1 teaspoon twice a day of UMF 10-15+ should be used during flare-ups. This can be taken straight off the spoon or diluted in warm water. For day-to-day maintenance, a biologically active honey of 10-15 should suffice in most cases of diverticulitis. This can be used freely as it is the lower activity. Make sure your supplier is getting third party testing on the honey’s activity and not just claiming its activity.

Wedderspoon's product line of Manuka Honey is reputable and I blogged about a few of our customer's favorite Wedderspoon's products. 

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

References:

1. WebMD. Diverticulitis – Topic Overview    

2. Hammond, EN & Donkor ES (2013, May 07). Antibacterial effect of Manuka honey on Clostridium difficile.

3. Prakash A, Medhi B, Avti PK, Saikia UN, Pandhi P, & Khanduja KL. (2008, August 07). Effect of different doses of Manuka honey in experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease in rats. 

4. Eteraf-Oskouei, T. and Najafi, M. (2013, June). Traditional and Modern Uses of Natural Honey in Human Diseases: A Review. 

Not to be confused with sprouts, microgreens look like "vegetable confetti" just waiting to be eaten!

What Are Microgreens?

Microgreens are edible immature greens and you eat all parts of it -- root, seed and shoot. If you grow your own microgreens, they're harvested with scissors less than a month after germination, when the plants are up to 2 inches tall.

Why Are Microgreens Healthy?

Microgreens pack a powerful punch, with some types providing up to 40 times the nutrient power of their mature counterparts.

Microgreens and Heart Health

New research suggests microgreens could play a significant role in fighting heart disease and high cholesterol. Researchers at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) randomly assigned 60 obese lab mice to one of six diets ranging in fat content and supplemented them with either red cabbage microgreens and mature red cabbage. Two control groups were given no cabbage.

Despite consuming a high-fat diet, the microgreen-eating mice had reduced circulating levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol. A bonus benefit was a reduction in triglyceride levels, the tye of fat that increases heart disease risk. While the results are promising, further studies on humans are the next step. Compared to mature microgreens, the mini version is richer in vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin K. 

For a burst of nutrients, add red cabbage microgreens to your salads, sandwiches and omelettes along with other colorful veggies.

article courtesy of clean eating

Not to be confused with sprouts, microgreens look like "vegetable confetti" just waiting to be eaten!

What Are Microgreens?

Microgreens are edible immature greens and you eat all parts of it -- root, seed and shoot. If you grow your own microgreens, they're harvested with scissors less than a month after germination, when the plants are up to 2 inches tall.

Why Are Microgreens Healthy?

Microgreens pack a powerful punch, with some types providing up to 40 times the nutrient power of their mature counterparts.

Microgreens and Heart Health

New research suggests microgreens could play a significant role in fighting heart disease and high cholesterol. Researchers at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) randomly assigned 60 obese lab mice to one of six diets ranging in fat content and supplemented them with either red cabbage microgreens and mature red cabbage. Two control groups were given no cabbage.

Despite consuming a high-fat diet, the microgreen-eating mice had reduced circulating levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol. A bonus benefit was a reduction in triglyceride levels, the tye of fat that increases heart disease risk. While the results are promising, further studies on humans are the next step. Compared to mature microgreens, the mini version is richer in vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin K. 

For a burst of nutrients, add red cabbage microgreens to your salads, sandwiches and omelettes along with other colorful veggies.

article courtesy of clean eating

If you have any health conditions, assess the health of your gut. Even if you don't have any obvious digestive issues, gut health is likely to blame. Here's how to reinoculate those good bacteria.

A healthy gut is directly related to essential functions in the body, including the immune system, body weight, appetite, mood, inflammation and brain health.

The zillions of bacteria living in your body mastermind your health in amazing ways. Learn how to get the bacteria in your microbiome working for, not against, you.

A healthy digestive system needs live bacteria called probiotics. Since your microbiome—all the bacteria in your body—is a mix of good and bad bacteria (bad = the kind that make you sick), it’s important to have enough of the good ones so your body functions properly.

In short, a healthy Gut = a healthy Immune System + Good Health 

Probiotics may help:

• Treat diarrhea, especially following treatment with certain antibiotics
• Treat irritable bowel syndrome
• Prevent and treat urinary tract infections
• Speed treatment of certain intestinal infections
• Prevent or reduce the severity of colds, flu and allergies
• Weight loss

Live Superfoods is now offering Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics!

All products are 100% vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free, chemical free, non-GMO

Who is Dr. Ohhira?

Dr. lichiroh Ohhira is an award-winning microbiologist from Japan. He’s also formulated the special E. faecalis TH 10 strain of lactic acid bacteria, which has been shown scientifically to be 6.25 times stronger than any other bacteria known to bacteriologists.

Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics HIGHLIGHTS

• Made with 12 strains of lactic acid bacteria fermented for 3 to 5 years to maximize health properties.
• Contain natural prebiotic nutrients, important to intestinal well-being.
• Probiotics are live and viable; never freeze-dried.
• No refrigeration necessary because the long-term fermentation at ambient temperatures stabilize the probiotics.

3 stand-out Dr. Ohhira products:

1) Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics, Original Formula

This formula goes through a three-year fermentation process at a temperature that encourages survivial of the strongest bacteria and makes the blend shelf-stable without refrigeration. The orginial formula is most often used to maintain overall good health. 

Each capsule is packed with:

--A proprietary organic acid blend made up of citric acid, lactic acid, formic acid and proprietary lactic acid bacteria blend consisting of 900 million CFU's (colony forming units).

--12 strains of live lactic acid bacteria

--Six Wild Fruits (prebiotics & enzyme activity)

--Two Seaweeds (prebiotics& enzyme activity)

--Two Herbs (prebiotics & enzyme activity)

--A proprietary blend of 82 additional wild organic crops including herbs, fruits, and organic plants (prebiotics& enzyme activity) 

2) Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics, Professional Formula

This particular probiotic is recommended for individuals with a specific health condition. It has the same formulation as the original formula, but it has been fermented for 5 years (vs. 3 years), which is two years more than the original formula. During that fifth year, the formula is tweaked during processing to provide organic acids that are more robust than those contained in the Dr. Ohhira's probiotic original formula. 

3) Dr. Ohhira’s Propolis PLUS

Honeybees create propolis as a flavonoid-rich antioxidant and antibacterial substance to coat and seal the interior of their hives. Propolis is derived from plant and tree resins, and protects the hive from invasion by bad bacteria, mold, and other pathogens. Humans can benefit from propolis by consuming it as a dietary supplement.

Brazilian Green Propolis is known as the Gold Standard of propolis. It's especially powerful because of the rare flora in the region where it's harvested and the unique African honeybees that create it. These bees have adapted to living in a very difficult environment, and the quality of their propolis reflects this fact. It is remarkably high in cinnamic acid derivatives (i.e. Artepillin C) and is one of the most potent propolis sources available. 

Take care of your gut with diet and a high quality probiotic supplement.

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Live Superfoods

A healthy digestive system needs live bacteria called probiotics. Since your microbiome—all the bacteria in your body—is a mix of good and bad bacteria (bad = the kind that make you sick), it’s important to have enough of the good ones so your body functions properly.

In short, a healthy Gut = a healthy Immune System + Good Health 

Probiotics may help:

• Treat diarrhea, especially following treatment with certain antibiotics
• Treat irritable bowel syndrome
• Prevent and treat urinary tract infections
• Speed treatment of certain intestinal infections
• Prevent or reduce the severity of colds, flu and allergies
• Weight loss

Healthy Goods is now offering Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics!

All products are 100% vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free, chemical free, non-GMO

Who is Dr. Ohhira?

Dr. lichiroh Ohhira is an award-winning microbiologist from Japan. He’s also formulated the special E. faecalis TH 10 strain of lactic acid bacteria, which has been shown scientifically to be 6.25 times stronger than any other bacteria known to bacteriologists.

Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics HIGHLIGHTS

• Made with 12 strains of lactic acid bacteria fermented for 3 to 5 years to maximize health properties.
• Contain natural prebiotic nutrients, important to intestinal well-being.
• Probiotics are live and viable; never freeze-dried.
• No refrigeration necessary because the long-term fermentation at ambient temperatures stabilize the probiotics.

3 stand-out Dr. Ohhira products:

1) Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics, Original Formula

This formula goes through a three-year fermentation process at a temperature that encourages survivial of the strongest bacteria and makes the blend shelf-stable without refrigeration. The orginial formula is most often used to maintain overall good health. 

Each capsule is packed with:

--A proprietary organic acid blend made up of citric acid, lactic acid, formic acid and proprietary lactic acid bacteria blend consisting of 900 million CFU's (colony forming units).

--12 strains of live lactic acid bacteria

--Six Wild Fruits (prebiotics & enzyme activity)

--Two Seaweeds (prebiotics& enzyme activity)

--Two Herbs (prebiotics & enzyme activity)

--A proprietary blend of 82 additional wild organic crops including herbs, fruits, and organic plants (prebiotics& enzyme activity) 

2) Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics, Professional Formula

This particular probiotic is recommended for individuals with a specific health condition. It has the same formulation as the original formula, but it has been fermented for 5 years (vs. 3 years), which is two years more than the original formula. During that fifth year, the formula is tweaked during processing to provide organic acids that are more robust than those contained in the Dr. Ohhira's probiotic original formula. 

3) Dr. Ohhira’s Propolis PLUS

Honeybees create propolis as a flavonoid-rich antioxidant and antibacterial substance to coat and seal the interior of their hives. Propolis is derived from plant and tree resins, and protects the hive from invasion by bad bacteria, mold, and other pathogens. Humans can benefit from propolis by consuming it as a dietary supplement.

Brazilian Green Propolis is known as the Gold Standard of propolis. It's especially powerful because of the rare flora in the region where it's harvested and the unique African honeybees that create it. These bees have adapted to living in a very difficult environment, and the quality of their propolis reflects this fact. It is remarkably high in cinnamic acid derivatives (i.e. Artepillin C) and is one of the most potent propolis sources available. 

Take care of your gut with diet and a high quality probiotic supplement.

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods