The Natren Blog Health Tips & News

Just like everything else in life, things they are a changing!  The food we eat today is very different than what we may have eaten a century ago. One hundred years ago, people ate more whole and fermented foods rich in nutrients and grown and raised with fewer or no pesticides. These days, when you buy produce at the grocery store, unless it’s organic, it probably been genetically-engineered and very likely heavily sprayed with pesticides. Packaged foods are no better because many of their vitamins, minerals and fiber that may have been removed during processing and replaced with artificial colorings,.... [Read More...]

The post How Our Food Supply is Changing appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.

As scientists expand their understanding of how probiotics benefit gut health and digestion, the market for these products is expanding. While it is exciting to see the benefits that probiotics deliver being embraced by an increasing majority, not all probiotic supplements are created equal, and some manufacturers are making misleading claims that sound good on paper, but result in a less effective product with reduced benefit to the consumer. Some probiotic products claim to be “shelf stable,” the USDA states that shelf stable products are those that are safely stored at room temperature and do not require refrigeration. Room temperature.... [Read More...]

The post Shelf Stability – The Big Hoax appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.

When we think of Thanksgiving, some of the thoughts that comes to mind are good food, family, thankfulness, and togetherness.  But, sometimes that togetherness can be a bit uncomfortable if you are prone to flatulence after the Thanksgiving meal. Follow the Natren holiday survival strategy so you don’t become a toxic guest on this glorious holiday? It goes without saying that most of us tend to overindulge and overeat at Thanksgiving.  It’s hard not to when you’re looking at a full table spread of comfort foods like turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, casseroles, and pie. That football game marathon won’t be.... [Read More...]

The post Why does Thanksgiving Dinner Give You Gas? appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.

As summer draws to a close and autumn bathes the great outdoors in color, most people start thinking about the holidays. Although the holidays are a time of cheer, they’re stressful for a number of people. Too many things to do and too little time to do them. As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, the “winter blues” set in. Plus, we let our healthy lifestyle habits slip a bit and indulge in more holiday goodies! Believe it or not, a healthy gut plays a role in helping you maintain a sunny disposition during the cold winter months,.... [Read More...]

The post How Your Gut Influences Your Mood appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.

When your doctor takes a blood sample, one of the things they usually test is your blood sugar level to make sure your body is correctly regulating the amount of glucose in your bloodstream. Usually, most doctors will require that you fast before a blood test because when you haven’t eaten anything for a few hours, your blood sugar usually falls within a narrow range, thanks to a hormone called insulin that regulates it. Doctors will use the fasting blood test to establish a baseline to determine if the amount of glucose in your bloodstream is within normal limits. When.... [Read More...]

The post Probiotics and Blood Sugar appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.

Life is hectic. We are all stretched thin from work, family, and keeping up a healthy lifestyle. At the end of the day, we are often left wondering where our energy has gone. We end up reaching for stimulants and other products to help us get through the day, but is that the best method? There could be a better, longer lasting way to boost energy. The human body is actually built to produce energy. We just need to give it the tools it needs to produce energy so that we can live life to the fullest. Natural Sources of.... [Read More...]

The post Where has your energy gone? appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.

We talk a lot about the gut microbiota, but what exactly is it? Understanding what the microbiota are, and how they play a role in your overall health will offer insight into why it’s so necessary to protect their delicate balance in our digestive systems. Microbiota simply defined are, “the microorganisms of a particular site, habitat, or geological period.” Microorganisms include bacteria, fungi, protozoa and even some algae, but in the case of the human gut, these microorganisms are mostly bacteria. Role of Microbiota in the Gut Our microbiota build communities within our digestive system. Scientists are still learning more.... [Read More...]

The post Microbiota 101 appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.

As the weather changes, it can start to really affect your mood. For some people, the lack of sunlight and increased time inside can spark a deeper issue than just the winter blues. A depression sparked by the season is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – sometimes referred to as seasonal depression. Symptoms of SAD include: Depression Hopelessness Anxiety Loss of energy Heavy, “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs Social withdrawal Oversleeping Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates Weight gain Difficulty concentrating SAD can affect anyone, but.... [Read More...]

The post Feeling Down? It Could Be Seasonal appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.