Royal Canin Digestive Care
Royal Canin is one of the better-known dog food brands out there. While they have multiple food blends designed for dogs at different life stages, theyve also got a special line of dog gut health products.
These food blends have nutrients that help boost digestive comfort and improve intestinal absorption. They also contain probiotics to support stool consistency and good gut bacteria.
As of right now, there are four main digestive care blends to look into:
Easy On The Painkillers For Your Gut Flora
Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory are painkillers that can alter the gut microbiome and lead to an upset stomach.
Better known as NSAIDs, these medications are among the most commonly prescribed. They are used to treat pain by targeting inflammation, and are especially popular because they help relieve menstrual pain.
However, even though they can produce short-term relief, chronic use can damage your gut lining and make your gut microbes sad. They irritate your intestinal lining, causing inflammation and even bleeding too both of which are detrimental to this organ and your microbiome.
TIPSome of these painkillers, like ibuprofen, can be bought at your shop, others prescribed by your doctor.
Ways To Improve Your Gut Bacteria Based On Science
There are around 40 trillion bacteria in your body, most of which are found in your gut.
Collectively, they are known as your gut microbiome, and theyre incredibly important for overall health. However, certain types of bacteria in your intestines can also contribute to many diseases.
Many factors, including the foods you eat, can impact the type of bacteria found in your digestive tract.
Here are 9 science-based ways to improve your gut bacteria.
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Influencers Dont Necessarily Know Science
Social media made people famous by promoting an aspirational lifestyle who often receive payment for advertising products and services.
Ask yourself, how many accredited health experts and researchers do you follow? Social media influencers are often highly paid by companies to promote products and/or services. They also made it to the top by sharing opinions, but not necessarily scientific facts.
Its important to do your own research, or else you may find yourself doing some very unscientific stuff and buying all sorts of gut health supplements that some rando with a hundred thousand followers told you to. Dont be afraid to question what youre being told.
Food For Your Mental Health
The key to improving your gut health is to know the types of foods that boost your gut health and mental health. Some of these foods include:
Fiber. Eating fiber improves memory and overall mood. It also decreases inflammation and oxidative stress by supporting microbiota. Foods high in fiber include beans and legumes, oats, nuts, dark chocolate, fruits, and vegetables.
Vitamin D. Vitamin D regulates your microbiome and reduces gastrointestinal inflammation. Some foods that have vitamin D include egg yolks, tuna, salmon, orange juice, and fortified milk.
Protein. Proteins contain nitrogen, which limits the number of bad bacteria in a microbiome. Eating protein decreases feelings of depression because of the production of serotonin, which improves your mood. Good sources of proteins include eggs, milk, yogurt, lean beef, turkey, chicken, fish, broccoli, oats, and nuts.
Omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids help lower cholesterol, increase memory and cognitive function, and reduce sugar cravings. Walnuts, flax seeds, salmon, sardines, and mackerel are all rich in Omega-3s.
Show Sources
âAnxiety and Depression Association of America: âHow to Calm an Anxious Stomach: The Brain-Gut Connection.â
âCambridge University Press: âNutritional Psychiatry: The Present State of the Evidence:â
âCleveland Clinic: âGut-Brain Connection.â
âHarvard Business Review: âGut Health Is Key to Your Mental Health at Work.â
âHelpGuide: âMindful Eating.â
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How To Improve Your Gut Health And Microbiome Naturally
One of the best ways to improve your gut health is through the food you eat. Evidence shows theres a distinct correlation between your gut health and quality of your diet. Diets high in fibre and prebiotics support a more diverse microbiome . A diverse gut microbiome is one of the most important markers of good overall health .
To read more about how to improve your gut health and microbiome naturally, read our blog, 9 Ways To Have A Healthy Gut.
How To Improve Gut Health #: Try Probiotic Foods Or Supplements
Probiotic supplements are another fantastic way to support your gut health. Youve probably heard a lot about probiotics recently, and for good reason: recent research has shown us that they can significantly improve your gut health, as well asfor exampleyour immune and reproductive system too .
If youre not sure where to start, we offer a wide range of probiotic supplements. Or, if you want some support to take control of your health, you can book a free consultation to speak to one of our Registered Nutritional Therapists.
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The Best Way To Improve Gut Health Is
Undeniably, is to introduce probiotics & prebiotics into your daily diet.
Not just any probiotic would do, you need special thermogenic strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium that not only helps recolonize the gut with good bacteria, but also has the ability to improve metabolism & calorie burn-rate.
To boost their efficacy, taking probiotics with prebiotics is the best way to get results fast and effectively.
PS. So, if youre interested in adding these thermogenic probiotic & prebiotics into your daily diet, weve got just the thing for you:
What Is Water Kefir
Water kefir is a fermented, carbonated beverage that is produced using water kefir grains.
Also known as tibicos, California bees, Japanese water crystals and other names, water kefir is thought to have originated in the late 1800s.
Unlike regular kefir, which is made from cow, sheep or goat milk, water kefir is made by combining sugar water with water kefir grains a type of grain-like culture of bacteria and yeast.
The mixture is then typically fermented for 2448 hours, producing a probiotic beverage rich in beneficial bacteria.
Water kefir is not only delicious and easy to enjoy but also packed with health benefits and can be an excellent addition to a well-rounded, nutritious diet.
Its simple to prepare and easily tailored to your taste buds.
Summary
Water kefir is a beverage produced by combining sugar water with water kefir grains and allowing it to ferment for 2448 hours.
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The Best Ways To Improve Gut Health
Theres no denying it: a healthy, happy gut is one of the fundamental pillars of our general wellbeing. Linked to everything from glowing skin and sleep quality to the health of our brains, our gut has the power to profoundly influence the way we feelfrom the moment we wake up to the moment our head hits the pillow.
But what defines a healthy gut? And what can we do to achieve it? A resilient and robust digestive system is determined by the diversity of microbes residing within it. In other words, your gut is defined by the company it keeps! A diverse community of gut bacteria has been linked to better overall health outcomes, while lower levels of diversity are considered an indication of imbalance within the gut.
Otherwise known as dysbiosis’, gut imbalance is primarily caused by poor dietary patterns, antibiotic use and psychological stress and is associated with many of the chronic health conditions we see in Westernised countries, including obesity and type 2 diabetes.
But, thankfully, its not all bad news. In fact, by making a few small lifestyle tweaks and dietary changes, you can make serious gut health gains in a matter of days.
Cut Down On The Sweet Stuff
Theres nothing wrong with a sweet treat every once in a while. However, some evidence from animal studies suggests that a high-sugar diet might impact your gut microbiome.
By reducing numbers of good bacteria and increasing numbers of bad bacteria, a high-sugar diet may increase the risk of metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.
And artificial sweeteners might not be much better. Experts now believe that these compounds interact with the gut microbiome.
Some evidence suggests that artificial sweeteners might disrupt your gut microbiome.
Although much of the research so far has involved animals, there is evidence that certain artificial sweeteners can influence gut bacteria in humans.
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Improve your gut health with these tips from the experts. / Illustration by Rebecca Smith
Suffering from constant stomachaches, bloating, or other gastro issues? Judging by the 400 million views of TikToks #guttok videos, youre not alone. But it can be hard to weed through the fad diets and probiotic peddling to know what will really help you. Below, five steps from local health experts that provide a starting point.
Listen to your body
One of the first steps in addressing gut irritants is to check with your body after eating. Registered dietician nutritionist Beth Auguste tells her clients to note symptoms after meals. Keeping a written log or using an app like mySymptoms Food Diary will help identify trends and gut irritants. Everyones body is different, so its important to determine the root of your gut problems to find a lasting solution.
Dont bring stress to the table
Cristina Hoyt, an integrative clinical nutritionist and body-image coach, says she doesnt address food with some of her clients because resolving stress often resolves their digestive issues. Hoyt recommends sitting while eating and taking a few minutes before meals to practice deep breathing.
Chew
Eat a rainbow
Regulate, dont eliminate
Philadelphia magazine.
How To Restore Healthy Gut Flora
Probiotics can support a healthy microbiome. These foods and supplements contain live bacteria that can benefit our health.
The bacteria in your gut make up a very important ecosystem, and if this becomes upset, it can lead to abnormalities in its composition and diversity. There are many things in life which can have negative consequences on your gut bacteria and intestinal health.
Studies have shown that probiotics can help to restore gut bacteria to healthy levels which protects us from inflammation. Live fermented foods are great sources of natural probiotics that you can eat and drink. Researchers think these traditional foods may play an important role in human health.
| Cabbage and salt |
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What Do I Do If My Dog Ingested A Toxic Substance Or Food That Should Be Avoided
Depending on what your pooch ingested and the dose, you can determine next steps. For example, eating a small piece of chocolate isnt the same as eating a whole jar of pesticide. In general, monitor your pets symptoms and be prepared to take them to the vet if you notice anything that doesnt seem right.
Foster Gut Health By Diversifying Your Diet
Maurice explains that most people who are sick with a gut-related diseaseor even other conditions, like diabetes and allergieshave one thing in common: a lack of variety in their microbial populations. Its clear that a healthy gut is a diversely-populated gut, and one of the best ways to build a diverse bacterial community is to eat a wide range of healthy foods.
Dont miss our ultimate guide to healthy grocery shopping.
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How Inflammation Affects Gut Health
Scientists have estimated that about 70% of the immune system lives in the gut microbiome. The function of the immune system is to protect us from invadersto tell apart the cells of our own body from other cells that dont belong to us.
If the immune system thinks the body is being invaded, it will mount an immune response, Bard says. In some cases, that immune response happens too often in reaction to foods we eat as well as environmental chemicals known as endotoxins. Inflammation is the manifestation of an immune system thats out of balance.
This ongoing overreaction can affect the balance of bacteria in the gut and even the integrity of the gut liningthat is, how well the gut lining does its job. Endotoxins and undesirable bacteria products eventually may leak through the gut lining and into the bloodstream. The immune system identifies these substances as foreign and mounts an attack, causing chronic inflammation.
Your Digestive System: 5 Ways To Support Gut Health
Digestive system problems such as heartburn, gas, bloating and constipation reflect whats happening throughout your body. As we age, the natural cycles slow down and dont work as well, says Johns Hopkins gastroenterologist Gerard Mullin, M.D.
The main drivers of gut health change are shifts in stomach acid, gut immunity and gastrointestinal florathe complex ecosystem of bacteria in your digestive system.
When gut health is good, he says, youre less likely to experience damaging inflammation and lapses in immunity.
The following ways to protect your digestive system may sound surprising because theyre not just about diet. Everything ties together, Mullin says.
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Power Up With Probiotics
When it comes to kicking your gut health into gear, its important to focus on achievable changes that you can implement into your daily life with ease. As with any health-focused goal, the most effective strategies are the ones you can stick to over the long term! By enjoying a serving of Beauty Restore every day, you can ensure you’re nourishing your gut with a powerful dose of probiotic bacteria to support your general wellbeing and bolster your microbiome. Containing a unique blend of eight different strains of probiotic bacteria derived from bio-fermented coconut, this berry-flavoured elixir helps to boost the number of health-promoting bugs in your gut, which is essential for overall wellbeing. Whats more, unlike probiotic pills, Beauty Restore also contains our exclusive Ayurvedic Beauty Blenda powerful combination of Ayurvedic plant foods like ashwagandha, holy basil, amla berry and turmeric to support your bodys natural response to stress and fight the visible signs of ageing. If you support your daily inner beauty ritual with a fibre-rich diet, youll not only increase the amount of friendly microbes living in your gut, but also give them the fuel they need to flourish.
Slow Down And Listen To Your Body
When youre not paying attention to your hunger and fullness cues, its easy to overeat and experience gas, bloating and indigestion.
Its a commonly held belief that it takes 20 minutes for your brain to realize that your stomach is full.
While theres not a lot of hard science to back up this claim, it does take time for hormones released by your stomach in response to food to reach your brain .
Therefore, taking the time to eat slowly and pay attention to how full youre getting is one way to prevent common digestive problems.
Additionally, emotional eating negatively impacts your digestion. In one study, people who ate when they were anxious experienced higher levels of indigestion and bloating (
Reducing your consumption of alcohol may help your digestion.
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How To Support Your ‘good’ Gut Bugs
The trillions of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other microbes in your digestive tract make up your gut microbiome. The composition of that microbiome is unique to you.
A healthy gut contains a wide variety of bacteria.
At ZOE, we run the largest nutritional study of its kind. Among other findings, we identified 15 good gut bugs linked to positive health outcomes and 15 bad bugs linked to poor health outcomes.
We asked Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, a board-certified gastroenterologist and ZOEs U.S. medical director, a simple question: Whats the best thing you can do to improve your gut health? He responded:
If there’s one thing, and one thing only, that you do to improve your gut health, it’s eating a wider variety of plant foods.
But there are actually many ways to support your good bugs and suppress bad bugs.
Below, we outline 16 foods and lifestyle changes you can try today.
How To Improve Gut Health Naturally And Reduce Inflammation
Because inflammation is at the root of so many issues, resolving that inflammation through natural means will improve gut health in many ways, explains Bard.
Chronic inflammation just makes everything harder, she says. The organs have to work harder when everythings out of balance. The body wants to achieve homeostasis . With inflammation, it cant do it. Cleaning up the gut can help reduce some of the chronic inflammation in the body.
As a nutritionist, Bard emphasizes that what we eat and drink directly affects our gut microbiome. She believes that a diverse, whole-foods diet that feeds the good bacteria in the gut is the best way to minimize inflammation and maintain a healthy gut microbiome. That means foods that come from the earth or animals that have sacrificed their lives for us to eat.
Heres how to improve gut health through exercise, stress management, and a healthy diet centered on protein, healthy fat, and healthy carbohydrates in the form of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
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