April 10, 2017
You are an influential person in some child’s life, but that goes further than just setting financial goals and inspiring academic success. Children take their cues about everything from the adults they admire, so put yours on a healthy lifestyle path, too. In a world that promotes supersizing and fast food, teach this child to see things from a wellness standpoint. The diet and exercise smart kid will grow into an adult who passes on healthy habits to themselves and the next generation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that obesity rates for children have tripled in the.... [Read More...]
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April 02, 2017
It’s time to #LIGHTITUPBLUE once again to promote autism awareness and a greater understanding and acceptance of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Every April 2nd for the last eight years businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, homes and even landmarks like the Empire State Building and the Eifel Tower have gone blue to make people more aware of autism spectrum disorder. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects one in every 68 children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People around the world will don their blue ribbons in support of research, early interventions and evolving treatments that help these children.... [Read More...]
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March 20, 2017
Serious health problems are common in infants who suffer from low birth weight. Beneficial bacteria, known as probiotics, may help these tiny patients. Now a new study sheds light on the benefits of probiotics on infants with very low birth weights. About 7.9 percent of babies were born at a low birth weight in 2012, and 1.42 percent were born at a very low birth weight (VLBW) of 3 pounds, 3 ounces or less. Infants born at low birth weight are more likely to experience serious health problems, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Babies who.... [Read More...]
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March 13, 2017
Imagine being the lone survivor in a space capsule hurdling towards Mars, struggling with the head cold that killed the other astronauts. Your companions took the last of the antibiotics thousands of miles ago, but that does not really matter now – the common bacteria had become resistant to all the antibiotics on board anyway. Monster bacteria in space sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but real life scientists are finding that some bacteria grow faster, mutate more readily, and can become more infectious or resistant to antibiotics in space than on earth. Before astronauts can venture into deep.... [Read More...]
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March 06, 2017
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), affecting more than 36 percent of adults. Now there is evidence suggesting that probiotics may be effective for weight management and the problems associated with obesity. Scientists have shown that bacteria in the gut can have anti-obesity effects and can suppress fat in the liver. Researchers fed lab mice a high fat diet then administered four strains of intestinal bacteria to four different groups of mice. The scientists found that the mice that consumed Lactobacillus acidophilus had less fat in their.... [Read More...]
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February 27, 2017
When President Dwight Eisenhower had a heart attack in 1955, it changed the way science looked at nutrition. Experts determined that fat was a major obstacle to cardiac health. This hypothesis pointed the finger at fat and meat as the probable cause of heart attacks like the one Eisenhower suffered that day. Since that time, cardiovascular disease and fat have been linked together, especially after clinical research provided evidence that a low–fat, high-carb diet lowers the risk of heart issues. Researchers called cardiovascular disease an epidemic that centered specifically on the amount of fat and cholesterol people ate. They failed.... [Read More...]
The post Why Dietary Guidelines Are Changing: Full Fat is Back appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
February 20, 2017
Anyone who drinks alcohol or has a taste for processed foods risks overindulging now and again. Imbibing in spirits can lead to unpleasant symptoms of a hangover, such as a banging headache, rolling stomach, and whole-body fatigue. Crawling out of bed can be downright unpleasant, especially for those who have somewhere to be the next day. Many an employee has called in sick, claiming they have contracted a stomach bug rather than confessing they have a bad case of “brown bottle flu.” Ironically, the bacteria living in a person’s gut can actually affect how quickly someone recovers from an “overactive.... [Read More...]
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February 13, 2017
Is walking enough of an exercise for heart health? Today, fitness magazines are filled with vigorous routines designed to get you back into shape, so it may seem like the simple act of walking isn’t enough. There are real advantages, though, to walking over high impact exercises like jogging unless you are training hard for a marathon or some other competitive sport. Consider some ways a daily walk can do the heart some good and reduce your risk of injury at the same time. Why Walk? Any regular exercise is good for your heart, so why choose walking? The most.... [Read More...]
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February 08, 2017
As Valentine’s Day approaches this year, consider ways you can give the people you love the best gift of all – a promise to get heart healthy. February is the month we typically think about those we love, our Valentine’s, and, so it just makes sense that is it is also designated Heart Health Month. After all, heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S., according to The Heart Foundation. The good news is it only takes a few well-placed lifestyle changes to improve your heart health. Joining a gym and creating a consistent workout routine.... [Read More...]
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January 30, 2017
The holidays are over – now it’s time to kick your new year off right with healthy eating in 2017! Did you know that the average American gains 0.4 percent of their body weight within ten days after Christmas? This means a 150lb person could gain more than a half pound in just ten days – and this is on top of 0.2 percent weight gain during Thanksgiving. What’s worse is that holiday foods tend to be very high in sugar, fat, cholesterol and empty calories. Add a few drinks, the hustle and bustle of shopping, parties, and the stress of.... [Read More...]
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January 23, 2017
Halloween candy, Thanksgiving turkey with all the fixings, Christmas cookies and liquid holiday refreshments at those late night parties – how could you resist? Everything tasted so good at the time but now you feel bloated, tired, and a little polluted from all the merriment. Your poor liver feels used and abused from everything it has been through the last two months, which makes the New Year the perfect time for you and your liver to get a fresh start on health. Detoxification helps remove toxins and unhealthy substances from your body, especially in your liver. While full body flushes.... [Read More...]
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January 16, 2017
Probiotics provide a variety of benefits, especially for digestive health, for everyone who takes these supplements. A new study shows that probiotic supplementation can help boost the immune system in athletes and reduce their risk of upper respiratory tract infections. We’ve written about some of these benefits in a past blog, and research continues to support this idea. Scientists have known for years that athletes are at great risk of infection while training for competition. Training schedules, lack of sleep, exhaustive exercise, stress, and travel associated with competition can increase an athlete’s risk of getting sick. Athletes are eager to.... [Read More...]
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January 09, 2017
Decades of research show that probiotics are good for your health – especially your digestive tract – but a new study shows that these beneficial live bacteria may also improve cognitive function in humans. In fact, probiotic supplementation may even benefit patients with Alzheimer’s disease. As many as 5.4 million people have Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the United States, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. AD is primarily associated with cognitive dysfunction but research shows an association between Alzheimer’s disease and metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Probiotics and the Gut-Brain Axis The gut-brain axis.... [Read More...]
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December 26, 2016
The holidays bring us so many warm treats. Hot mulled wine, warm apple cider, so why not add warm yogurt to your seasonal repertoire? Most people think of yogurt as a dish served cold – but you’d be surprised at the versatility that this staple brings to your table. Yogurt is an ancient functional food, rich in beneficial bacteria, and is super-easy to make at home to ensure maximum freshness and freedom from chemicals, sugars, and preservatives. It can be refrigerated for use whenever you need an extra creamy addition to your meal. Using Natren’s Yogurt Starter you can make.... [Read More...]
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December 19, 2016
Humans undergoing stress can experience gastrointestinal disturbances, such as upset stomach and loose stool. Many people now find relief from stress-related digestive problems by taking probiotics. Anxiety can also cause the same types of digestive upsets in dogs as it does in humans. Now scientists are looking into whether probiotics can help anxious dogs in the same way it helps anxious people. Stress and anxiety can cause a variety of health and behavioral problems that can significantly affect the well-being of your pet. Stress can cause diarrhea, for example, and anxiety can cause your furry friend to exhibit undesirable behavior.... [Read More...]
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December 05, 2016
Generations of people have been eating dried plums, also known as prunes, to prevent constipation. A new scientific study shows prunes can positively affect the bacteria living in the gut and may even reduce the risk of colon cancer. Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society, claiming an estimated 49,190 lives in 2016. While advanced treatments improve the likelihood of survival, prevention is key to lowering mortality rates. About the Bacteria Living in Your Intestines There are trillions of bacteria living in the.... [Read More...]
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