Tag Archives: probiotics

Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Your Gut Microbiome

As a young girl, I was on penicillin daily for six years, so I know first hand the affects of a compromised microbiome. Over the years, I had to work hard on healing the gut and even today I still need to be proactive, using many of the methods I explain below.

The term “microbiome” typically refers to the bacteria in our gastrointestinal tract (or gut), specifically in the large intestines. These bacteria live in harmony with other microbes in our gut such as viruses, fungi, and parasites. Some report up to 100 trillion bacterial cells reside in our gut microbiome, which cumulatively comprise more genetic makeup than all the other cells in our body.

These bacteria consists of commensal (friendly or good) bacteria and pathogenic (harmful or bad) bacteria. In the past, the common thought was that we had to kill off the “bad” bacteria and replenish the “good.” The problem is that when you try killing off the harmful bacteria, you also kill the good.

More recent research indicates that both types of bacteria, the good and the bad, live in harmony with each other. The key is to have enough good bacteria at all times so that the commensal bacteria keep the pathogenic bacteria in check.

You want to improve and maintain a balanced microbiome by eliminating the things that disrupt the microbiome and create a well rounded strategy to encourage bacteria diversity. Hint: It is more than just taking a probiotic (or prebiotic) supplement. Some of the suggestions below may surprise you! Continue reading →

How to Reduce Your Risk for Cancer – 7 Key Things to Consider in Your Daily Life

astroblu-216We are all susceptible to cancer. In fact, each of us has cancer cells in our body on a regular basis. If your immune system is strong, it keeps these cancer cells in check. The good news is that there are many things we can do to keep our immune system strong and help prevent cancer as well as other chronic illnesses.

Below are 7 key things to consider. Be sure to take the cancer quiz too (see inset below)!

1 – Reduce Your Toxins
Environmental toxicity is estimated to cause 3/4 of all cancers. Babies come into the world today with over 200 chemical toxins in their body and we continue to accumulate toxins throughout our lifetime.

It is critical to live a life as clean as possible, being aware of: Continue reading →

Pool Chemicals – How to Protect Your Kids

2 - POOLYou and your kids have been swimming all summer. What do you do about the chemicals in the pool water? The first step is to swim in an outdoor pool so at least you are not inhaling the chlorine fumes.

Yet, pool chemicals also enter the body through the skin. They are known to alter hormone levels, increase respiratory disorders like asthma and allergies, and create gut flora imbalance. Continue reading →

Boosting Your Immune System Naturally

5104728271_f3046e4e87Photo Credit: comprock via Compfight © ”The germ is nothing, terrain is everything.”
– Claude Bernard (1817-1920)

Did you know that each time you eat sugar, your immune system is compromised for up to five hours afterwards? Sugar can include candy bars, sodas and other foods obviously full of sugar, as well as fruit drinks, maple syrup, and other naturally sweetened products.

When your immune system is compromised and you are exposed to a bacteria or virus, you have a greater chance of catching it. Your white blood cells are not operating at 100%.

No wonder cold and flu season is so much more prevalent in the fall and winter months, especially after the holidays. First Halloween and then Christmas – both holidays full of sugary treats.

The good news is that you can also use foods (and other things) to boost your immune system naturally. Continue reading →