Tag: probiotics

  • New Year, New Gut: Why Your Microbiome Matters and How Vital Planet Can Help

    New Year, New Gut: Why Your Microbiome Matters and How Vital Planet Can Help

    New Year, New Gut: Why Your Microbiome Matters and How Vital Planet Can Help

    The new year is a time for fresh starts and new beginnings. And what better place to start than with your gut health? Gut health is the foundation for overall health and well-being.

    Your gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes that play a vital role in everything from digestion and immunity to mood and brain function. Good bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium break down food, synthesize vitamins, and keep harmful invaders at bay.  But stress, antibiotics, and processed foods can throw this ecosystem into disarray. When your digestive system is out of balance, it can lead to a variety of health problems, including bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and even chronic conditions like autoimmune diseases. This is where probiotics can help, acting like reinforcements for the good bacteria to get your gut back on track.

    Probiotic supplements introduce beneficial bacteria strains to your gut community. They help restore balance, strengthen the gut barrier, and boost immune function. This can help you feel healthier in so many ways:

    • Ease digestive discomfort: Say goodbye to bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Probiotics can help regulate bowel movements and soothe irritated bowels.
    • Fortify your defenses: A healthy gut is a strong defense against pathogens. Probiotics can help fight off harmful bacteria and viruses, keeping you feeling your best.
    • Nurture your mood: The gut-brain connection is real! Probiotics may help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression by influencing brain chemistry and reducing inflammation.
    • Optimize nutrient absorption: Get the most out of your food. Probiotics can help your body absorb essential vitamins and minerals from your diet.

    That’s why making gut health a priority in the new year is so important. And one of the best ways to do that is to take a high-quality probiotic supplement.

    Why Choose Vital Planet Probiotics?

    Vital Planet offers a wide range of probiotic supplements designed to support your gut health in a variety of ways. Their probiotics are:

    • Potent: With up to 60 billion live cultures per serving, Vital Planet probiotics are some of the most potent on the market.
    • Diverse: They contain a variety of beneficial bacterial strains, which is important for creating a healthy and balanced gut microbiome.
    • Prebiotic-infused: Vital Planet probiotics include prebiotics, which are fibers that help nourish and support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
    • Delayed-release: This ensures that the live cultures reach the intestines alive, so they can be most effective.
    • Family-owned and operated: Vital Planet is a family-owned and operated company that is committed to quality and sustainability.

    To help you jumpstart your New Year, New Gut journey, Basil Bandwagon is offering a special 25% discount on all Vital Planet products for the entire month of January.

    With a little effort, you can make your gut health a priority in the new year. And with Vital Planet probiotics, you can be on your way to a happier, healthier you!

    Cheers to a happy and healthy 2024!

  • Breathing fire?

    Breathing fire?

    Breathing fire?

    How to extinguish acid reflux and GERD

    Acid reflux is a sign that the digestive system is not operating smoothly. Instead of gastric contents passing from the stomach into the small intestine as they should, food and stomach acid can regurgitate, or reflux, into the esophagus.

    Symptoms of acid reflux

    Acid reflux commonly causes burning in the chest, which we colloquially call heartburn. But reflux can also present as chest pain, food regurgitation, bitter taste, chronic cough, asthma, throat clearing, hoarseness, globus sensation, belching, and trouble swallowing. But other health conditions may mimic reflux symptoms, so it’s a good idea to inform your physician of your symptoms so that you receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

    If you experience reflux regularly, it might be classified as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

    Long-term effects of reflux

    Whereas occasional reflux may resolve on its own without lasting effects, GERD negatively impacts quality of life, requires treatment, and is associated with increased risks of other health concerns. Those with GERD have an increased risk of painful conditions that can lead to permanent damage to the esophagus, as well as an increased risk of esophageal cancer.

    GERD usually responds well to treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which reduce stomach acidity. However, long-term PPI use is associated with an increased risk of bone fracture, renal disease, pneumonia, and nutrient deficiency.

    Causes of reflux

    The food we eat and how we eat it play a role in reflux. Irregular mealtimes, large portion sizes, and eating before bed are associated with GERD symptoms. Acidic foods like tomato, orange, grapefruit; coffee and tea, foods that are spicy, fatty, or fried; carbonated beverages, and chocolate can trigger GERD.

    Lifestyle patterns also impact reflux. Tobacco smoking is a contributing factor in GERD. Smoking also reduces the production of saliva, which helps protect the esophageal mucous membrane from acid. Alcohol consumption can trigger reflux episodes and aggravate acid-related esophageal injury.

    Other lifestyle factors that contribute to GERD include obesity, vigorous exercise, exercise right after a meal, or lack of regular exercise.

    Diet and lifestyle

    The positive thing about the correlation between reflux, diet, and lifestyle is that we have the power to do something about it! Making diet and lifestyle changes now can help manage reflux in the long-term.

    Embrace regular mealtimes and be mindful that you don’t make a habit of overeating. Minimizing acidic, spicy, and fried foods in the diet can also reduce reflux episodes.

    Schedule moderate-intensity exercise a good distance away from mealtimes and bedtime. For sleep, lie on your left side and raise the head of the bed to reduce nighttime reflux.

    Supplements

    Always ask your health care practitioner before trying a new supplement.

    • Probiotics may improve heartburn and reflux in GERD.
    • Turmeric may be helpful in reducing mucosal damage from reflux.
    • A blend of apple cider vinegar, licorice, calcium carbonate, and papain, taken as a chewing gum, may improve symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux.

    By Dr. Cassie Irwin, ND

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • 9 important supplements for women over 40

    9 important supplements for women over 40

    9 important supplements for women over 40

    There’s more than just calcium

    As we age, our bodies can’t absorb some nutrients from food as well as they did years ago. Supplements can be beneficial. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the nine best supplements for women over 40! Remember to consult your health care practitioner before starting any new vitamin regimen.

    1. Vitamin B12

    Vitamin B12 builds red blood cells and assists in brain function and development. Without it, you may experience low energy levels, memory loss, and nerve damage. It’s estimated that 30 to 50 percent of adults over 50 are B12 deficient.

    2. Omega-3s fatty acids

    Omega-3 fatty acids support your heart, eyesight, and cognitive function. Studies also suggest they may play a role in preventing cancer. Since omega-3s may protect against age-related conditions, like heart disease and macular degeneration, experts recommend higher intakes of omega-3s for older adults.

    3. Calcium

    Nearly all the calcium in your body is stored in your bones. When you don’t eat enough of it, your body taps that bone reservoir to fulfill its physiological needs. This could weaken your bones and lead to osteoporosis. In women, estrogen helps the body absorb calcium. However, as you approach menopause, your estrogen levels dip, which results in poor absorption.

    4. Vitamin B6

    Vitamin B6 supports the body’s nervous and immune system. A deficiency may lead to depression, weakened immunity, and certain skin conditions. As you grow older, your body needs more B6. High levels of B6 have been linked to better memory in aging populations.

    5. Potassium

    Potassium keeps your bones strong and may reduce the risk of stroke and high blood pressure. It also supports your kidneys, muscles, nerves, and heart. Unfortunately, certain medications and health conditions block the absorption of potassium. If you’re over 40 years old, ask your health care practitioner if you’re getting enough of it.

    6. Vitamin D

    Vitamin D reduces inflammation, helps the body absorb calcium, and supports the immune system. When women turn 40 and creep closer to menopause, a lack of vitamin D may result in weakened bones and osteoporosis. Because it isn’t found in many foods, and most people aren’t absorbing enough of it from the sun, vitamin D supplements can be beneficial.

    7. Probiotics

    Good bacteria in your gut keep your immune system in check and aid digestion. If you’re stressed, took a round of antibiotics, or have certain medical conditions, your good gut bacteria could get wiped out. Probiotics help to maintain balance, and as you age, you’ll want to pay close attention to the different strains and their benefits.

    8. Zinc

    Zinc supports your immune system and metabolism. There’s also evidence that it shortens colds, slows the progression of macular degeneration, and reduces diarrhea. Since zinc is known to support the body in many important ways, it’s an important nutrient to focus on as you age.

    9. Magnesium

    Magnesium regulates nerve function and helps keep your blood sugar balanced. As you age, a mild magnesium deficit could result in sleep and cognitive disorders. Maintaining normal magnesium levels through the years may help stave off age-related chronic conditions, like heart disease and diabetes.

    Article courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • New insights into immune health

    New insights into immune health

    New insights into immune health

    Pandemic lessons on immunity

    Health has never been a more prominent topic or concern than in the era of COVID. But for all of us, supporting our immune system is the cornerstone of our well-being, whether we’re living in a pandemic or not.

    “Health is defined now by most medical establishments as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity,” says naturopathic doctor Brian Davies.

    Immune system redux

    To best support our immune system, it helps to have a sense of how it works. Put simply, its job is to defend against disease-causing microorganisms. It has two main components.

    1. Innate immunity, the immune system we’re born with, consists of physical barriers like our skin as well as cells that attack pathogens that enter the body, responding quickly via effects like fever.
    2. Adaptive immunity is the part of our immune system that learns to react to foreign agents. When it’s exposed to a new germ for the first time, it responds by trying to fight it off; we might get sick, but our immune cells remember the invader and mount a more rapid response when it returns.

    Having a healthy immune system doesn’t mean never getting ill. It’s quite the opposite, in fact. And remember that not all viruses are created equal, as we’ve all learned with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID.

    “Having symptoms such as fever, cough, muscle aches, headache, and the like are indications that your immune system is working to fight off infection, not the infection itself,” says Ashley Stapleton, naturopathic doctor. Nevertheless, the global health crisis may have led to a greater awareness of the importance of taking care of ourselves, a wake-up call of sorts.

    Immune system support

    “When looking at key support for general immune health, a healthy lifestyle is a critical part of supporting our immune systems,” Davies says. Some people who should consider modifications to their lifestyle to better support their immune systems are those who

    • eat highly processed foods
    • don’t sleep well
    • are under excessive emotional or physical stress from injury or overexercise
    • consume excessive amounts of alcohol
    • smoke cigarettes

    All of these factors put excess stress on the body, which is known to suppress innate immunity and dysregulate our adaptive immune system.

    Caring for your immune system

    Here are some other approaches to providing your immune system with support.

    • Cut out sugar
    • Avoid alcohol
    • Get plenty of good sleep
    • Reduce stress

    Supplemental immune support

    Always check with your health care practitioner before trying a new supplement. Supplements that may help support your immune system include:

    • Probiotics
    • Vitamin C
    • Vitamin D
    • Zinc

    Article courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Travel Necessities with Terry Naturally

    Travel Necessities with Terry Naturally

    Travel Necessities with Terry Naturally

    Traveling can be stressful – not just mentally but physically, too. Thankfully, Terry Naturally is here to the rescue! Check out these 5 must-have supplements to pack this travel season!

    1. Ashwagandha: to reduce stress

    2. Probiotics: to ease occasional digestive discomfort

    3. Melatonin: for a good night’s sleep

    4. Andrographis: to support immune health

    5. CuraMed Acute Pain Relief: to relieve pain and reduce sore muscles

    BONUS: AnxioCalm

    Terry Naturally’s AnxioCalm is perfect for everyday use, or occasionally when you need the extra support. It provides relief when you need it, without drowsiness or mental fogginess.*

    Looking for more travel essentials? Keep scrolling for two natural recipes that are perfect for on-the-go and for when you come home!

    DIY Pain Relief Essential Oil Roller*†

    Got Pain?*† Pair this DIY essential roller with with Curamin® Extra Strength for the ultimate pain relieving combination.*† It’s the safe, effective, and easy way to relieve pain today.*† Perfect to store in your carry-on bag and take with you on-the-go!

    Ingredients

    • 5 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
    • 5 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil
    • 1 Drop Clove Essential Oil
    • Coconut Oil or Carrier Oil of Your Choice

    Method

    1. Add essential oils.
    2. Fill with coconut oil or carrier oil of your choice.
    3. Roll where it hurts.
    4. Enjoy!

    Soothing Bathtub Soak*†

    Do you have sore, achy muscles after a long day of travel? For optimal pain relief, take Curamin® Extra Strength, and then relax with this soothing bathtub soak recipe. You’ll feel the aches and pain melt away.*†

    Ingredients

    • 1 Cup Epsom Salts
    • 1/2 Cup Baking Soda
    • 4 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil
    • 4 Drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
    • 1 Drop of Eucalyptus Essential Oil

    Method

    1. Mix epsom salts and baking soda together in a bowl.
    2. Add essential oils. Mix well and store in an airtight container.
    3. Add 2-3 tablespoons to your next bath, and let your body relax.
    4. Enjoy!

    These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.

    Resources:

    https://www.terrynaturallyvitamins.com/blog/post/?slug=diy-pain-relief-essential-oil-roller

    https://www.terrynaturallyvitamins.com/blog/post/?slug=soothing-bathtub-soak

    https://www.terrynaturallyvitamins.com/blog/post/?slug=4-must-have-supplements-to-pack-for-vacation

  • Creamy Basil Kefir Sauce

    Creamy Basil Kefir Sauce

    Creamy Basil Kefir Sauce

    This ultra-creamy basil kefir sauce is the perfect low-lactose addition to pasta, salads, or even flatbreads. Thanks to the Redwood Hill Farm Goat Milk Kefir, your dish will even get a little probiotic boost, too. Yay, microbiome!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • RECAP: New Product Thursday 3/12/2020

    RECAP: New Product Thursday 3/12/2020

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    Ancient Nutrition: Multi Collagen Protein Single Serve Packets, Multi Collagen Capsules, SBO Probiotics (Ultimate & Gut Restore)
    Bjorn Qorn: Spicy
    Bucklebury: Silver Solution & Soothing Silver Lozenges
    The Coconut Cult Ice Cream: Top Secret Vanilla Recipe & Great Balls of Gluten-Free Cookie Dough
    Desert Essence: Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
    Natural Factors: Phosphatidylserine
    Roots: Oil-Free Kalamata Olive Hummus
    Spinster Sisters Co.: Body Butter (Oatmeal Milk & Honey, Lemongrass Sage, and Lavender), Shampoo Bar (Coconut Lime & Rosemary Mint), and Conditioner Bar (Coconut Lime & Rosemary Mint)
    Trace Minerals: Magnesium Gummies, Magnesium Effervescent Tablets, Pure Magnesium Flakes, Magnesium Chewables, & Magnesium Lotion
  • RECAP: New Product Friday 2/21/2020

    RECAP: New Product Friday 2/21/2020

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    ACURE: Shampoo/Conditioner Package Change, Dry Shampoo, & Ultra Hydrating Overnight Dream Cream
    Counter Culture: Probiotic Dish Soap, Probiotic All Purple Organic Cleaner, & Probiotic Cleaning Wipes (all different scents)
    Chameleon Cold Brew: Oat Milk Lattes (Maple & Dark Chocolate)
    Kite Hill: Sour Cream Alternative
    Garden of Life: Stronger Bones, Organic Prenatal Multi Gummies, Organic Kids Multi Gummies (Cherry & Fruit Flavors), & their shaker bottle promotion!
    New York Natto
    Osso Good: Sippable Bone Broths (Signature, Chicken, & Beef) & Paleo Soups (Tomato Basil, Thai Coconut, & Butternut Squash)
    Superieur Electrolytes: Red Raspberry (tub & packets) & Concord Grape (tub)
    Sprout Living: Pea Protein (unflavored)
  • RECAP: New Product Thursday 2/13/2020

    RECAP: New Product Thursday 2/13/2020

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah Hemp Milks: Unsweetened Original, Original, & Unsweetened Vanilla
    Justin’s: Peanut Butter Cups with Crispy Quinoa
    Kastania: Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    Little Secrets Cookie Bars: Dark Chocolate with Salted Caramel
    PlantFusion: Elite Activated Peptide Protein & Inspire for Women (both come in vanilla and chocolate)
    Rishi: Chaga Chai Concentrate
    Basil Bandwagon Natural Market: Collagen Peptides in larger size!
    Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizer: Tea Tree Oil with Lemongrass, Tea Tree Oil with Lavender, & Tea Tree Oil
    The Hemp Division Drinks: Recover, Siesta, & Calm
    Silk: Dairy Free Heavy Whipping Cream
  • RECAP: New Product Friday 1/10/2020

    RECAP: New Product Friday 1/10/2020

    Check out our NEW products this week!

    Creminelli Fine Meats: Prosciutto Snack Pack
    Love Good Fats Candy Bars: Peanut Butter Chocolatey, Rich Chocolatey Almond, Coconut Chocolate Chip, & Mint Chocolate Chip
    GT’s Kombucha: 25 Anniversary Limited Edition Sacred Life
    Health Ade Kombucha: Grape Vibes
    Lilly’s: Organic Keto-Cauliflower Hummus
    EO Products: Shower Gels, Hand Sanitizer, Bubble Bath, & 3in1 Soap
    Garden of Life: Collagen with CBD, Collagen Super Beauty, Collagen Greens Beauty, Collagen Protein, Collagen Coconut MCT, and CBD Probiotics
    Nona Lim: Green Curry Noodle Bowl
    Beanitos: Sweet Chili and Sour Cream Chips