TAG | Digestion
Watch Brenda’s Story, Begin Your Journey to Vibrant Health
11/8/10 0 Comments | Posted by psapio in General Health
They say every journey begins with a single step. For Brenda Watson, that step was the one she took when she walked into a health food store after years of battling constipation, fatigue, and countless other health problems. Since then more than two decades have passed, and Brenda feels healthier today than ever before.
If you have ever wondered how it all began—how Brenda Watson went from small-town southern girl to one of the most trusted names in natural digestive care today—you won’t want to miss The Road to Wellness: The Brenda Watson Story.
From a childhood plagued by health problems and endless prescriptions to the discovery that would ultimately change her life, hear how Brenda came to realize the vital importance of a healthy gut for better digestion and a strong immune system, including the inspiration behind creating the custom formulas that have made ReNew Life the company it is today.
This is one journey you won’t want to miss!
Probiotics and Prebiotics: What’s the Difference?
10/1/10 0 Comments | Posted by psapio in Fiber Supplements, General Health, Probiotic Supplements, Solutions, Uncategorized
By now many of you have heard about the remarkable health benefits of probiotics. In fact, the good-for-you bacteria seem to be making headlines everywhere these days—especially as we head into another cold and flu season. And as awareness increases about just how good probiotics are for optimal digestion and immunity, there’s another “p” word you might be wondering about: prebiotics.
In technical terms, prebiotics are often defined as “non-digestible food ingredients” that promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. So what does that mean? Quite simply, prebiotics are a food source for probiotics. So as they travel through the digestive system, they nourish all those good bacteria along the way and help them grow and multiply. The result? More good bacteria in the gut, which means better digestion and a stronger natural defense system.
So where do prebiotics come from? Well, mostly from soluble fiber sources such as oats, legumes, flax and almonds—and that’s where the “non-digestible” part comes into play. Dietary fiber—including both soluble fiber and insoluble fiber—really just refers to the parts of plant foods that our bodies are unable to digest and absorb, which is why it’s sometimes called “roughage”. Because prebiotics are not digested, they remain in the digestive tract where they can do their job of feeding their probiotic partners.
In addition to obtaining prebiotics through the diet, nowadays many probiotic supplements will actually include prebiotics to help you get the benefit of this dynamic duo (i.e. probiotics and prebiotics). For example, you may see something called FOS on the label. Short for fructooligosaccharide, FOS is extracted from soluble fiber foods such as chicory root and will help to feed and stimulate the growth of beneficial probiotic bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli.
So there you have it! Two powerful “p” words that can go a long way toward better digestion and a stronger natural immune system—talk about a winning combination!
Prebiotic Food Sources:
- Almonds
- Asparagus
- Bananas
- Barley
- Berries
- Chicory Root
- Flax
- Garlic
- Honey
- Leeks
- Legumes
- Oats
- Onions
- Soybeans
- Wheat
- Whole Grains