Surviving the Holidays with Happy Digestion

Probiotic bacteria are living microorganisms that have highly beneficial effects on your health. Did you realize that 80 percent of your immune system is located in your digestive tract?  This makes a healthy gut a major focal point in achieving optimal health.

You may be surprised to learn that the bacteria in your gut outnumber the cells in your body by a factor of ten to one.  It is estimated that you have 100 trillion bacteria living in your GI tract, comprised of as many as 500 different species!

Your gut microbiome help digest your food. When they’re doing their job right, you get the nutrients you need to stay healthy and energetic. When they are not, you suffer from gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea; this can be especially common around the holidays as we indulge and introduce foods we normally wouldn’t.

One great way to help our stomachs as we venture into the holiday season is to implement probiotics supplements or probiotic rich foods.

Probiotics are essential for our immune system, to fight from the exposure to viruses and bacteria common come fall/winter time.  They are our first line of defense! They live in our nose, mouth, and GI tract, fighting as we get exposed. Taking probiotics can decrease the amount of time we are ill and decrease the amount of illnesses we can get this time of year.

Probiotics are foods or supplements containing live, beneficial microbes that will settle happily into your ecosystem, helping to build a diverse and well-balanced microbiome. Probiotic foods include (Be sure to buy unpasteurized sauerkraut and pickles; you’ll find them in the refrigerated section in your store.)
— sauerkraut
— pickles
— kimchi
— coconut kefir

To learn more about recommended probiotics and digestive health, consult your naturopath today at RenŪ Progressive Medicine.