Latest news with #guthealth
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Why shoppers are obsessed with Daily Nouri's gut-boosting drink mix (now 26% off on Amazon)
Ready to give your gut a glow-up? It is no secret that the gut is responsible for a large portion of the body's daily wellness, from digestion to vitamin absorption and beyond. That's why taking care of your gut may just be the most important step in proactive wellness. Daily Nouri is one brand that has been on our radar for quite some time now because of their powerful probiotic and prebiotic products. But it is their newest release that has our full attention — the Nouri Daily StayWell Digestive & Immunity Drink Mix. Daily Nouri StayWell Digestive & Immunity Drink Mix (30 Stick Packs) Give your gut the summer boost it deserves with this new top-rated drink mix! From viral wellness brand Daily Nouri comes an all new way to indulge with immune-boosting powder packets. These small packets are packed with magnesium, colostrum, and more gut health heroes. But these drink mixes are also just as good for your immune system! The powerful proactive approach refuels the body with each sip. $34.69 (was $40) Shop The $40 drink mix comes with 30 individually wrapped powder packets and is just one click away on Amazon. Packed with nutrients, this probiotic mix targets the gut and immune system, promoting a healthier, more centered you. Right now, the highly-anticipated drink mix is already on sale for 26 percent off. When it comes to taking care of your gut, most of the work is done proactively. According to Daily Nouri's research, up to 80 percent of our body's immune cells live in the gut. It was because of this information that they created a delicious lemonade-flavored drink powder that not only cares for the gut at the moment but actively boosts immunity over time as well. StayWell Digestive & Immunity Drink Mix is made from a unique blend of science-backed ingredients that help restore, nourish, and protect the gut. The blend includes colostrum for gut integrity, magnesium for muscle function, and vitamins to help nutrient gaps — among others. Sippers can not believe the Daily Nouri difference, with one saying: 'This probiotic works great for me! I noticed changes starting after the second packet! Not to mention, the taste of this is really good, just like lemonade! If you struggle with your gut health, I recommend trying this!' The gut can be a place of both good and bad bacteria, the good being necessary and the bad being dangerous. Daily Nouri considered this with their innovative StayWell Digestive & Immunity Drink Mix by including a powerful prebiotic (good bacteria) and probiotic (helps balance bad bacteria) blend. Made with only 1g of sugar and no artificial ingredients, the powder mix has become a shopper favorite. Users can't believe how refreshing the StayWell Digestive & Immunity Drink Mix is, with one saying: 'I ordered this for the digestive benefit, although I greatly appreciate the immune system support as well. 'The powder dissolves very well (and quickly) and yields a really good flavor - like *really* good! These are great to travel with or to have on the go - just dump it in a bottle of water, shake, and it's ready to drink.' Still not convinced that Daily Nouri has cracked the gut health code? Try their new StayWell Digestive & Immunity Drink Mix packets for yourself to see why Amazon shoppers (and their guts!) are giving five stars.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
The 'genius' vet-approved item that's solving a serious common problem for dogs: 'These are a game changer'
A convenient product is having a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of pets across Australia, and pet owners are thrilled. Bell & Bone's Dental Toppers is a simple spray applied to your pet's meals as a vet-approved solution to prevent dental disease, by supporting gut health. Approximately 80 per cent of dogs and cats over the age of three exhibit some level of dental disease, according to the Australian Veterinary Association. More than simply unpleasant breath, this can have serious repercussions on the animal's health and even life expectancy. But Australian brand Bell & Bone has dedicated years to researching the cause of this common health concern for pets and working on a solution. Oral health and gut health are closely intertwined, in pets and in people. A well-balanced microbiome is essential to maintaining good digestive and oral health. If this is disrupted, harmful bacteria can thrive in their digestive system and mouth. A healthy gut microbiome helps to keep harmful bacteria in check, preventing plaque and tartar buildup and reducing inflammation at the source. Created in consultation with industry experts and vets, Dental Toppers is a powerhouse formulation of oral actives, pre, pro and post-biotics, and superfoods, delivered in one simple step: just four sprays a day on top of your dog or cat's meal. There are three flavours for dogs: Beef, Lamb and Salmon, and two formulated for cats: Tuna and Chicken. The spray costs $39.95 for a 30-day supply - which works out to just $1.33 per day. The natural ingredients formulation combines Norwegian Kelp to reduce dental issues and support gut health, probiotics to balance gut flora and reduce plaque, and antioxidant-rich plant extracts to combat inflammation. Sodium alginate, derived from seaweed, helps the product stick to teeth and gums while also feeding beneficial gut bacteria. An added win for pet owners? Improved gut health leads to fresher breath, and often an improvement in bowel movement odour too. 'Over the past five years, I've been on a mission to change how we approach pet dental care,' Bell & Bone Founder Arianne Sackville says. 'It all started when I learned that dental disease shortens a pet's life by up to 30 per cent, and that nearly 80 per cent of pets suffer from it by age three. I was shocked… So I developed our best-selling Dog Dental Sticks and Cat Dental Bites. 'However, with 80 per cent of dogs and 70 per cent of cats still facing dental disease, I became obsessed with uncovering WHY. I was determined to change these alarming statistics for good! I knew we needed to go deeper. 'That's when I began working with leading vets and experts to uncover the real cause of dental disease in pets. 'What we found was eye-opening: the gut plays a critical role in oral health. A healthy gut microbiome helps prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria, which is the starting point for plaque, tartar, and inflammation. 'So, I dedicated myself to creating a product that not only cleans teeth but prevents disease at the source— the gut. After years of research, testing, and collaboration, the Bell & Bone Dental Topper was born.' The product is impressing pet owners, with rave reviews already posted on the brand's website: 'Started using these and already spotting a difference with my boy's breath - truly a game changing product not having to change from his everyday food,' one customer wrote. Even pet owners with fussy eaters have confirmed the flavours are a hit. 'I was curious to see how he would go since he can be picky with anything new but this topper just went straight on top of his food that he loves with a few sprays and he was straight into it,' one customer said. 'After using it for a month we noticed a big difference in not just his teeth and gums but also his poops didn't smell as bad... and no more stinky breath! 'I dedicated myself to creating a product that not only cleans teeth but prevents disease at the source— the gut,' says Arianne. After years of research, testing, and collaboration, the Bell & Bone Dental Topper was born' 'I am so happy we finally found something that Oscar will eat and that actually works for him thank you so much Bell and Bone.' 'These are a game changer. Started using these and already spotted a difference with my boy's breath - truly a game changing product not having to change from his everyday food,' another shared. When it comes to food toppers, Millie the beagle has a nose that doesn't lie - she's turned her nose up at three different brands so far!' another owner wrote. 'Then we discovered Belle and Bone at the Million Paws Walk in Melbourne. I was a bit hesitant to try them, given Millie's track record, but I'm so glad I did. 'Millie loves it - no hesitation at all! The salmon and beef topper are a big hit. Safe to say we've finally found a winner. Millie gives this a paws up.'
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
What's the best prebiotic or probiotic soda? It's rough out there.
In recent years, drink cases at grocery stores and delis have been transformed into rainbow-colored seas. Cans of fizzy drinks — with Gen-Z-bait graphic design and bright hues — touting healthier-than-regular-soda properties are muscling up to the standard fare of bottled waters and juices. Many of these elixirs aren't just promising to take the place of a traditional sodas, only with lower sugar and fewer calories — they also claim to offer health benefits, including the holy grail of buzzy wellness: 'gut health.'
Medscape
4 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Gut Health in Rosacea: Diet, Probiotics, and the Microbiome
Growing evidence suggested that the skin and gut may be more closely linked than once thought — especially in chronic inflammatory conditions like rosacea. In a comprehensive review recently published in Biomolecules , Marco Manfredini, MD, from the Department of Dermatology at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy, and colleagues explored the evolving science around how diet, gut microbiota, and probiotics may influence rosacea pathogenesis and symptom severity. While more clinical studies are needed, the review highlighted new pathways linking gastrointestinal dysbiosis to cutaneous inflammation. The authors proposed that specific dietary modifications and the use of probiotics could support traditional treatment approaches for certain patients. Pathogenesis of Rosacea: A Multifactorial Inflammatory Process Rosacea arises from a complex interplay of multiple contributing factors. 'The pathogenesis of rosacea continues to be a subject of investigation,' the authors wrote, involving 'dysregulation of the innate immune response and neuropeptide activity, microbial involvement, environmental factors, dietary triggers, and skin barrier dysfunction.' Central to these mechanisms is the innate immune system. In rosacea, elevated levels of kallikrein-5 trigger excessive processing of antimicrobial peptides into proinflammatory fragments such as LL-37. These fragments promote oxidative stress, cytokine release, and blood vessel changes, contributing to the inflammation and vascular symptoms seen in the disease, according to the authors. Neurovascular dysregulation is also a hallmark of the disease. The authors noted, 'activation of TRPV1 [Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily V Member 1] and related channels by environmental triggers like heat and UV [ultraviolet] radiation exacerbate flushing and erythema by promoting vasodilation and neurogenic inflammation.' These channels are hypersensitive in patients with rosacea, contributing to enhanced symptom severity. While the skin microbiome — particularly Demodex folliculorum and its associated Bacillus oleronius — has long been considered a contributing factor, recent attention has turned to the gut. 'Emerging evidence suggests that while microorganisms may not be central causative factors… alterations in the skin microbiome across multiple rosacea subtypes may act as trigger factors or potentiate inflammation,' the review authors wrote. 'Gastrointestinal dysbiosis, including conditions such as Helicobacter pylori infection and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO),' they noted, 'has been hypothesized as a potential contributor to rosacea development.' Gut Dysbiosis and the Skin: The Available Evidence The concept of a gut–skin axis describes the bidirectional relationship between intestinal microbiota and skin inflammation. In rosacea, this relationship is supported by associations with conditions like SIBO, H pylori infection, and inflammatory bowel diseases, as highlighted in the Manfredini review. Asked to comment on this emerging topic, Rajani Katta, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at the McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, noted, 'We have strong evidence linking gut dysbiosis to rosacea, but it is important to note that this applies only to certain patients. In other words, only a subset of patients with rosacea seems to have gut dysbiosis, and in those patients, there appears to be a link.' Rajani Katta, MD Katta added that the most compelling mechanisms relate to inflammation. 'Patients with SIBO may have higher levels of inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha. In other studies, gut dysbiosis can lead to the activation of specific inflammatory pathways like the kallikrein-kinin pathway. Activation of these pathways has multiple downstream effects, which may ultimately increase neurogenic inflammation in the skin.' The review by Manfredini and colleagues supported these theories, citing studies that show improvement in rosacea symptoms following SIBO eradication, although the benefit of H pylori treatment is less clear. 'The association between Helicobacter pylori infection and rosacea remains complex and influenced by several confounding factors,' the authors wrote. 'The antibiotic treatment required for H pylori eradication represents an important confounding factor.' The authors caution that without large-scale prospective studies examining the gut microbiome before and after intervention, firm conclusions about causality remain elusive. Dietary Triggers: What the Evidence Supports Dietary factors may influence rosacea by promoting vasodilation, activating sensory receptors, or altering the gut microbiome. Yet, data on specific triggers remain mixed, according to the authors. Asked to comment on dietary triggers in rosacea, Lauren Kole, MD, associate professor of dermatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said that 'the best data for dietary triggers for rosacea are for alcohol and hot beverages. Alcohol may induce peripheral vasodilation, promote inflammation, modulate the immune system, and may trigger histamine release. Hot beverages may cause direct vasodilation and trigger other pathways that lead to flushing, stinging, and sensitive skin.' Katta also noted that alcohol and hot beverages 'are common triggers, likely because they lead to vasodilation, which causes flushing.' She also highlighted spicy foods as a culprit. 'Foods that contain capsaicin may result in vasodilation and thus flare rosacea, so avoiding spicy foods may be helpful.' Another category included foods that contain cinnamaldehyde — a compound found in cinnamon, tomatoes, and citrus —which may trigger flushing in sensitive individuals, according to Katta. Katta recommended a practical approach for patients. 'For most patients, a 6-week trial of eliminating the most commonly reported food triggers in rosacea is a good first step… I tell patients that it can take 6 weeks of avoiding these foods to see if it will be helpful, and I recommend a food diary.' Interestingly, certain foods may offer benefits. Dairy products have been associated with reduced rosacea severity in some populations, potentially because of their anti-inflammatory effects. High-fiber diets may support gut microbial diversity and caffeine — despite its reputation — has been inversely associated with rosacea in large observational studies, cited in the Manfredini review. Probiotics: Potential but Preliminary Probiotics are another area of growing interest. These live microorganisms may influence rosacea by rebalancing the gut microbiome, reducing inflammatory cytokine production, and enhancing skin barrier function, according to the authors. 'Dietary probiotics may help normalize skin dysbiosis in rosacea and may limit substance P-induced skin inflammation,' said Kole. She referenced a study that found improved skin barrier function and reduced sensitivity with oral probiotic use alongside doxycycline therapy. Katta said that she has not used probiotics for rosacea in her practice. 'Preliminary results appear intriguing, but there are still many questions about the optimal strain of probiotics as well as dose and duration,' she told Medscape Medical News . She added that the current evidence is 'too preliminary to recommend specific strains or delivery routes, although some have shown benefit,' referencing studies on strains of Bifidobacterium , Lactobacillus , and Escherichia coli Nissle included in the Manfredini review. Topical formulations are also being explored with promising results, and a product containing Vitreoscilla filiformis has shown reductions in facial erythema and Demodex density while improving transepidermal water loss, according to the review's authors. However, mirroring Katta's sentiment, the authors concluded that 'despite promising results, the evidence supporting the use of probiotics in the treatment of rosacea remains relatively limited. Further clinical trials are necessary to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of various probiotic strains and different methods of delivery, such as oral ingestion and topical use.' Looking Ahead: Clinical Considerations and Research Needs While the current research is promising, more rigorous studies are needed. 'One of the research areas that I'd love to see more of,' Katta said, 'is measuring rates of gut dysbiosis in patients with rosacea, with prospective studies examining gut microbiome composition before and after treatment, and how that correlates to rosacea severity.' For now, clinicians may consider an individualized approach, she said, and asking about gastrointestinal symptoms, evaluating for common dietary triggers, and discussing a food elimination trial can be helpful strategies. Although formal probiotic guidelines for rosacea are lacking, some patients may benefit from a monitored trial of supplementation — particularly if they also have gut-related complaints, she added. 'There are many gaps in our understanding of the gut–skin axis,' Katta emphasized. 'But it's an exciting area of dermatologic research.'
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
I spent a month improving my gut health to see if it would calm my anxiety
The phrases 'gut instinct' and 'trust your gut' are born from so much more than a metaphorical flutter in your stomach. In fact, they have roots in the ancient understanding of the gut as a centre of instinct and emotion, with the ancient Greeks believing that the stomach was the seat of emotion. The idea of 'gut feeling' refers to our enteric nervous system – a complex network of neurons that line the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes called the 'second brain', this network has over 100 million neurons (which, by the way, is more than your spinal cord) and can sense, process, and respond to information without checking in with your actual brain. Which means that sometimes, your gut really does know what's up before you do. So here is my theory: perhaps, as someone with a high-functioning anxiety disorder, I have been going wrong all these years in treating my 'first' brain, when I should have been treating my second. Since my 20s, I've had a hypersensitive nervous system, with the full spectrum of anxiety symptoms to go with it; adrenaline spikes at the most inconvenient, incongruous times, racing heart, dizzy spells, spiralling thoughts, nausea etc. I've tried pretty much everything to manage it, from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to hypnotherapy, meditation apps to anti-anxiety medication. Some things have worked better than others, but I have come to accept it's going to be an ongoing project, but I'm excited about my next tactic. But what does gut health have to do with anxiety? The connection between our gut and brain – otherwise known as the gut-brain axis – is a well-established but still evolving area of study, and recently it's been suggested that increasing your intake of probiotics – the live bacteria that help maintain a healthy gut microbiome – can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms, effectively acting as a form of nutritional psychiatry. It makes perfect sense when you understand that your gut bacteria can influence the release of the stress hormone cortisol, and a diverse and balanced biome helps produce mood-regulating chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. An imbalance can send distress signals to the brain, potentially fuelling anxiety. Naturally, I decided to test this theory out on myself, but I'd need some expert guidance in the form of registered nutritionist Jessica Shand, who would need a snapshot of my current gut health to get me started. What's happening in my gut? I took a StrideBiome test to establish a baseline for my microbiome. Stride uses advanced DNA sequencing to work out the diversity and balance of your gut bacteria (via an only mildly mortifying DIY stool sample), then produces a lab report with insights into which strains of bacteria you have and which you might be lacking. My results showed a few key imbalances, including low levels of anxiety-reducing strains Bifidobacterium and, most notably, a complete absence of Lactobacillus – another critical calming neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid-(GABA) -producing species that also helps to regulate cortisol, our primary stress hormone. Ah. So this might explain a few things. Armed with this knowledge, Shand helped me work out a gut-brain reset game plan. First up, supplements. She explained that not all probiotics are created equal when it comes to reducing anxiety. 'There are specific strains like the ones you're low on – Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium longum – that have been shown in some studies to reduce symptoms of anxiety and improve mood,' she told me. 'Research is still ongoing and findings can vary on specific, but these strains in probiotics may help modulate the gut-brain axis by reducing inflammation, influencing neurotransmitter production such as serotonin and dopamine, and enhancing gut lining integrity, all of which are thought to play roles in emotional regulation and therefore anxiety.' What the expert says Shand suggested the Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic, a standout in the probiotic world. It combines both prebiotics (the fibres that feed good bacteria) and probiotics (the beneficial bacteria themselves) in a single formulation. This is important because it ensures the probiotics can survive the journey through my digestive system and reach my colon, where they can actually make a difference to support not just digestive health, but also mental wellbeing. It's designed to replenish those missing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, boosting GABA production (a naturally occurring substance that's made by our bodies and helps promote relaxation and reduce anxiety) and regulating my cortisol response, therefore (potentially) helping to turn down my anxiety at its biological source. Translation: A science-backed shortcut to a more balanced microbiome, which, for someone like me, is wildly appealing. But it's not just about popping a daily pill. To truly support a healthy brain-gut axis, I need to create an environment where the good bacteria can thrive. That means making some dietary and lifestyle tweaks to set me on the best possible path. Having chatted honestly, Shand understands that I am not a card-carrying member of the Intensive Healthy Lifestyle Club, and so her advice is to make realistically achievable changes. To be sustainable, my habits need to be 'better than', rather than drastically overhauled, ie definitely not a strict overhaul that might add to my anxiety overwhelm. What aiming for 'better than' looks like 'Have the coffee! You're a mother of two young kids, just don't have it first thing in the morning as it will spike your cortisol levels,' Shand tells me. 'Drinking it after a protein-rich breakfast is more beneficial as the food intake primes the body and blunts the harsh impact of the caffeine.' This I can do. Even better, swap out the second or even third cup for a Sixways Hormone Balancing Decaf. ('It contains maitake functional mushroom plus inositol and vitamin B6 to support blood sugar balance and hormonal health, and I promise it doesn't taste of mushrooms!') A probiotic-rich diet isn't a million miles away from what I was eating before, but having a solid awareness of what I was consuming, and why, made me much more motivated to stick to it. A lot of the meals and recipes she suggested are already what I like to eat, just with some gut-loving substitutes. Shand advised me to incorporate a variety of plant-based, fibre-rich, and fermented foods into daily meals. Think kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, miso, and live yogurt, (the fermentation produces natural probiotics). Plus prebiotic fibres (the food that good bacteria thrive on), including garlic, onions, and bananas. My usual turkey mince bolognese is good, but a lentil ragu is better for an extra dose of fibre, supporting my digestion and therefore the growth of beneficial bacteria. A potato and spinach curry can be upgraded to a chickpea and cavolo nero, prebiotic one. Both, by the way, are delicious, comforting, hearty – just good, in all senses. So, for the next few weeks, I committed to this gut-reset protocol: Take probiotic supplements on an empty stomach. Eat more (delicious) probiotic-rich food. Cut down on (but not avoid entirely – see above) known gut disruptors like processed foods and alcohol, which can kill the good bacteria I'm trying desperately to cling on to. I struggled with this last step more than I'd like to admit, such is the constant battle of the overly anxious. Shand suggested swapping a mid-week wind-down glass of wine for Motherroot, a sort of sweet-spicy, alcohol-free alternative that actually supports digestion and stabilises blood sugar with a ginger and apple cider vinegar blend. I mix it with soda and actually love it for an after-kids bedtime treat. Also, just the idea that I am putting something good into my body rather than the guilt of another glass of wine does wonders to relieve my morning-after anxiety all on its own. It's not an immediate switch flip, but I stuck to the protocol for three solid months, and as the days turned into weeks, I started to notice subtle but significant shifts in my mood. The first, most notably, at a time when I'd feel the most overstimulated anxiety spike that would present as extreme impatience. Attempting to get my kids out the door so I could make the right train to get me to an important (therefore bonus anxiety-inducing) meeting on time. It was a subtle shift, like a small presence of kindness that allowed me to reason with myself, reason with my kids and extinguish the bomb threat that would've made the whole schedule meltdown. It could also have been the better sleep, which is another notable change. And so it continued. More often than not, mornings felt less like waking up with anxiety as my first involuntary thought, and more like a gradual stretch into the day. The daily urge to doom-scan and look for the things going wrong in my life (it sounds ridiculous, but will be familiar to anyone with anxiety) felt less prominent. I found myself approaching potentially stressful situations with a bit more patience and less catastrophic thinking. The verdict It wasn't always easy to stick to, and yes, I strayed back to the mid-week wine every so often when my resolve slipped. The hardest part is going out with friends because when presented with a menu that someone else is cooking, I will always be driven to order by my heart rather than my gut. And my heart invariably desires the most delicious, usually unhealthy thing. But Shand encouraged me to remember I'm going for 'better than', not gut perfection, so I decided not to let this cause me anxiety in itself. The benefits quickly outweighed any motivational negatives. Interestingly, my gut itself seemed to be responding too. Without getting too graphic, my digestion felt more 'efficient' and my bloating – a near-constant, very unwelcome guest – significantly reduced. While I'm not suggesting that a few spoonfuls of sauerkraut will cure anyone's anxiety disorder, the cumulative impact of the probiotic plus these small changes has been surprisingly profound, perhaps key to this particular project. It's hard to ignore the psychological lift that comes from simply feeling better in your own body and choices. I feel more resilient, a bit more hopeful, and at times when I'd previously noticed otherwise, have a kind of mental clarity. Of course, this is an ongoing journey rather than a magic bullet – it's never going to be as simple as popping a pill and waking up panic-free. Before I'd done this deep dive on my gut health, I knew – like most of us – that alcohol and eating junk food were causing spikes in my anxiety. I'd have a few glasses with friends on a Friday evening and wake up to either a full-blown panic attack or a traitorous guilt. But what this has taught me is how significant small, subtle and consistent dietary changes can be in improving your gut health and anxiety. The challenge becomes making these regular habits. Building a healthy gut is a long game; a mix of the right supplements, diverse plant fibres, fermented foods, and stress management techniques is a constant work in progress. Still, the idea that I might be able to influence my mood from the inside out – to literally feed my happiness – is a compelling one. There's something incredibly empowering about knowing I can influence my mental health whilst improving my overall health, since for me this experiment was about finding a more holistic approach that addresses the root causes rather than just the symptoms. And the logic, the science behind it, helps to act as an anchor too. For now, I'm trusting my gut – in the truest, most biological sense of the phrase – and am optimistic that this approach might be the missing piece in my personal anxiety puzzle. And if nothing else, my digestive system is certainly grateful.
