People Around the World -- Join Hands

We’ve talked about this before, but we think it bears repeating…we, as Americans, are not the only people of the world who value the benefits of probiotic supplements. In fact, here’s something you may find interesting.

As you research probiotic health as a whole, you will find that the people involved with the probiotic movement believe they are making a major human contribution as they work on the cellular level and the bio-chemical level through the creation of supplements that help the body work in an organic way to remove toxins from the body.

You might be asking yourself how the production of probiotic health supplements can be helping Mother Earth. The link between probiotic health and Mother Earth can be found in the fact that some of the foods and plants grown for consumption are endangered. These plants and foods must continue to be grown so that they will continue to contribute to the physical well being of humans here on earth.

Probiotic health proponents have started organic farms in the distant lands of Costa Rica in an effort to save some of the endangered species of probiotic, naturally healthy foods, that assist digestion in a microbiotical way. If these foods were to stop being produced, then the food system of America would suffer. Going to Costa Rica, where the climate supports growth of healthy whole foods that are not typically grown in the United States anymore, is one way the probiotic health movement is supporting humanity as a whole. Organic farms are rare and with that, some of the foods we have used in the past are no longer grown because they won’t grow unless they are altered or sprayed with chemicals.

Much of the foods that naturally grew and were known to be healthy are diminishing from our planet. People of the Amazon and India share that they have to walk much further then they did in the past to find the foods they have come to instinctually know as the good foods that aid in optimum health. Thefarms created in Costa Rica are now sanctuaries where the good food can be grown and the growing can be sustained.

These organic farms, where the climate is conducive to good growth of healthy crops of organic food, will ensure that 10 to 20 years down the road, we will still have non-processed, non-chemically altered food for consumption. The botanical gardens are an asylum for medicinal food production. They are the Noah’s Ark of healthy foods in our world, preserving foods that are endangered and providing for the continued use of healthy foods in our diets for years to come.

Flu Immunity

Some of the most common questions we get pertain to immunity and boosting the immune system. This is especially true now that cold and flu season are approaching. In the spirit of education, we’re going to discuss the facets of immunity and pass along some of our most recent research…

Approximately 70% of your body’s immune cells are found in your gut, a fact that’s got everyone talking about immunity and its relationship to the digestive system. We’re going to skip the technical jargon and break the immune system down into its 3 main types – innate, acquired, and passive immunity -- to help make the connection between healthy digestion and your immunity.

Innate immunity – you’re born with it, and it’s specific to you as a human. This is your body’s immediate response to foreign substances. The skin, intestinal lining, and the tiny hairs in your respiratory system all play a part in this defensive process.

Your digestive system is a key player in supporting innate immunity. Many foreign substances that enter your body through the digestive tract are targeted and eliminated. Sound like a scene from an action movie? That’s about right – your digestive system is a happening spot! Not only does it break down nutrients so they can be absorbed and used throughout your body, it works overtime to keep your immune system healthy.

The intestinal lining (which includes your mucosal immune barrier) is vital to this process. The mucous barrier, cells in the intestinal lining, and the junctions between these cells all form a sort of fortress that keep harmful substances from seeping into your body through the intestinal walls. Your intestinal lining is a very complex and intelligent player in your immune system.

It makes sense, then, that healthy digestion also boosts the digestive system’s other function – healthy immunity. Minimally processed whole foods that are rich in nutrients help boost healthy, functional digestion. Digestive support supplements such as probiotics, digestive enzymes, colostrum and more are also becoming popular ways to support digestive health, intestinal lining health, and immune health.

Boost Your Body's Defenses

You’ve heard us talk a lot about improving immunity and keeping the body functioning as it should in order to maintain optimum levels of health. If you’re still getting sick often, or you're facing bouts of flu this season and you're concerned about N1H1, boosting your immunity can help… but what can you do to boost your immune system in a hurry?

First of all, get back to a balanced meal plan. Summer means endless BBQs, ice-cream socials, picnics and very flexible eating. Getting back to the recommended 5-10 servings of fruits and veggies a day packs you full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber, and will do wonders for your immune system. You can always add a super greens powder (found at your local health food store) to a smoothie to help meet your quota.

Try 3-6 months of probiotics. Probiotics support the immune system by supporting a healthy gut. About 70% of immune cells are found in the gut; probiotics support a healthy intestinal environment and help down regulate the immune system to a balanced response. A recent study conducted in China reported that children who took probiotics over a six-month period were healthier than kids who did not.

Your gut is actually considered the “outside” of your body because it’s exposed to substances and microbes from the outside world. Taking a probiotic supplement for at least a few months helps to replenish the natural flora in the gut that can be destroyed by certain medications, poor diet, an overabundance of stress, and even chlorinated water.

Cut back on stimulants like caffeine and sugar. Excessive caffeine intake can deplete your body of vital minerals and water. Caffeine also stimulates the nervous system, and regular stimulation can be taxing on the immune system. Sugar raises insulin levels which affect hormones in the body and can depress the immune system. A sugary diet also creates an internal environment that encourages the growth of potentially harmful microbes. Sugar is a lot tougher on our bodies than we realize and limiting your intake will boost energy and immunity.