Categories
Fitness and Health Product Review Product Reviews

Healthy Gut with Prebiotics

Prebiotics are great to improve gut health

I have had poor gut health for much of my adult life. I never knew prebiotics could help me feel better.  It wasn’t until I went on my journey to honor my temple did I begin exploring the reasons behind my gut ailments.   Every time I ate, I would have excruciating pain afterward from gas, bloating, and poor digestion.  After years of suffering, I finally went to my doctor to see what ails me.  After many different tests and elimination diets. We discovered  I was lactose intolerant like 70-80% of the American adult population and had a wheat allergy.  When I removed both of these things from my diet, my gut health improved, but I still am susceptible to certain foods.

Gut Health affects other areas of health

I am sure that you have heard that all disease begins in the gut and that is very true.  How we fuel our body affects every part from the heads on our heads to our toenails.  Have you heard the quote, “All diseases start at the gut,”? It isn’t entirely accurate, but proper digestion does begin at the gut.  I never knew that I needed a prebiotic until trying Gut Health Digestive and Energy Balance for over a week.  I have been using probiotics for years but never recognized the value or need for prebiotics, which is what have been seeking.

What is a prebiotic?

According to an article from Healthline.com, “Prebiotics are types of dietary fiber that feed the friendly bacteria in your gut. This helps the gut bacteria produce nutrients for your colon cells and leads to a healthier digestive system .  ” You can find prebiotics in foods like commonly used: cocoa, garlic, onions, asparagus, leeks bananas and a variety of root vegetables like jicama, chicory, and a variety of other sources.  We don’t often get enough of these foods in our diets to promote the growth of good bacteria in our stomach that we need to have digestive balance.

Gut Connection is High-Quality Supplements

I didn’t believe in taking supplements before because I thought that was for fit people, and it was hard to find a quality brand that has quality ingredients.  Gut Connection has been in the industry since 1971 with a quality and purity standard that is the Country Life Pledge of integrity to guarantee that every bottle is high quality and purity. They are also very passionate about improving gut health.

Gut Connection has a Formula for your needs

Gut Connection from Country life has “8 different formulations that create balance within your gut microbiome by enhances the existing probiotics by using whole food fermentate. It creates a healthy stomach lining that is able to absorb better efficiently. Gut Connection has clinically studied ingredients in each bottle, providing personalized solutions for your everyday issues.***.”

What is Microbiome?

According to BMJ Journals, “human microbiome” is “The human microbiome is composed of communities of bacteria (and viruses and fungi) that have greater complexity than the human genome itself. The human microbiome has extensive functions such as development of immunity, defence against pathogens, host nutrition including production of short-chain fatty acids important in host energy metabolism, synthesis of vitamins and fat storage as well as an influence on human behaviour, making it an essential organ of the body without which we would not function correctly”

Our human microbiome is unique to us, and that is why not everything works for everybody. We have our own naturally existing probiotic bacteria. Probiotic is live bacteria and yeasts that are good for you found in your digestive system.  It’s our own unique microorganism systems that are custom to help us function.  Having a variety of Gut Connection from Country life to choose allows you to make a specialized shift in your gut microbiota composition.

An imbalance gut

Often times, our microbiota becomes imbalanced because of our American diet. The use of antibiotics, and environmental factors that affect your microbiome.  You know that your gut is imbalanced if you feel digestive discomforts such as bloating, infrequent bowel movements and feeling sluggish.  Because our microbiomes are individual, we need to use a supplement specific to our symptoms. “Gut Connection’s scientifically formulated supplements can bring back balance and connect you and your gut back to health. Country Life Vitamins believe that is all connected.*** They provide formulas that nourish and feed the probiotics existing in your gut. To help maintain a balance and improve digestion,

Fermentation is Key

Eating fermented foods is often suggested to help neutralize or balance your gut.  People either don’t like or don’t get enough fermented foods in their diets.  These essentials prebiotics can help relieve some of our digestive issues.  The gut connection has created an ingredient that is called fermentate. This ingredient allows the gut to build nutrients and metabolites to build a healthy microbiome.  That is what makes Gut Connection different from other digestive supplements. With the eight different formulas, you can match the type of digestive support that you need, whether it is a balance in digestive, cognitive, stress, energy, mood, sleep, and weight. You can pick the supplement combination that helps to improve your health and customize your needs.  I will be traveling next week so, I plan on taking Digestive, Immune, and Energy balance to keep me balanced while I am living in travel mode, which can cause anxiety.

Should I stop using probiotics?

I’m not a doctor, but you can use Gut Connections with probiotics; they are two different things. Prebiotics supports the probiotics. It is not necessary to take a prebiotic for your probiotic to work. It will make the probiotic more effective.  Probiotics are to help breakdown foods during digestions and prebiotics are not found in your body, and they give your probiotic something to consume. Using them together is called microbiome therapy. It’s really up to you and of course, consult a doctor. People have found positive results from consuming both at amounts and what works for them. Keep in mind that many probiotics have dairy in them so if you are intolerant, make sure you read the ingredients. Gut Connection from Country life is lactose-free.

All the Free’s

I get teased from eating with wheat-free, dairy-free, and trying to be sugar-free but it makes my gut happy. I am all about honor your temple, and we are individuals, not everything is for everyone. And, I have found something that keeps me feeling good and living a good, which is honoring my temple.

Country Life is:

  • gluten-free and certified gluten-free
  • vegan and certified by AVA
  • soy free,
  • wheat free,
  • sugar-free
  • salt-free
  • artificial: colors, flavors, and sweeteners-free,
  • kosher
  • and there is no magnesium stearate. This ingredient causes diarrhea and why many people don’t want to take a probiotic supplement. Most importantly, Gut Health Connection by Country Life is probiotic-free.  Now that I know the difference. It will be something I look for and educate others on when suggesting a digestive supplement.

Do I need Gut Connection from Country Life?

I can’t reiterate enough every gut is different, and you have to do what honors your temple. People who are feeling imbalanced gut symptoms and desire improving their digestion. My suggestion would be to try the different formulas. See if they help to improve your gut health and find balance.

Were you aware of prebiotics were different from probiotics?

*** These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
“I received this product for free from Moms Meet and Country Life Vitamins (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided, and this page may contain affiliate links.”
 
 
Categories
Fitness and Health Product Review Product Reviews

My Must Haves of 2017

Just a few Must Haves for the New Year

So, you’ve got your planner packed in your meal planning bag as you just strapped on your fitness tracker and ready to tackle your day with your new protein shaker (with protein in it) and 64 ounce water bottle to wash down your salad and chicken breast that you’re going to devour because it’s the New Year and you’re ready for this New You to emerge in the next two weeks, right? Am I exaggerating? Just a little. It has come the time of year that I love the enthusiasm and energy of people making a really effort to stick to their resolutions but I think people miss the mark and don’t adequately prepare. They’ve been watching their social media feed of all the things that they really need to be fit and healthy and don’t really need any of this stuff to be fit and healthy. I’ve put together a few must haves that I will be using this year to keep me focused and on track!

Last year this time I was ready! Ready to really give this getting fit thing my best effort. After many months of trial and error I realized the things that I prepared for and the actual stuff I needed would be just that trial and error but I have a few tips and suggestions; 5 Things that I found and Love in 2016 that I will be taking into 2017 with me are:

  1. What’s in the bottle counts!

In 2016, I discovered that I had a wheat allergy. Since being diagnosed with a wheat allergy and learning I have learned that skincare products contain wheat, who knew? So, I need to avoid those things and applying them to my skin.  I was at the Gluten Free & Allergy Friendly Expo and met KissFreely .  Kiss Freely products does not contain 8 of the major allergens and more.  Then I discovered there AMAZING KissFreely Body Butter! Did I say it was amazing? It is amazing.   Whether you have skincare allergies, food allergies or sensitivities their products can be trusted.  After trying their silky soft body butter I knew the lil diva’s and I had to try it.  Two of my daughters suffer from sever eczema and I am very leary of the products I use on them but with KissFreely I could trust the product before doing the the 3 day skin test that it wouldn’t cause a major flair up.

Flair Ups with Eczema takes moments to pop up and months to get rid of so you really try to avoid them as much as possible.  Although, I have found natural products such as coconut oil and shea butter that help I am always looking for something better or that will work season-to season. Another issue that I have is that their skincare needs change from season to season. So far, Kiss Freely has made it from Fall to Winter seamlessly and like I said feels amazing.  This is something that I must keep for my 2017 skincare needs.

2. Sometimes you need to workout anywhere!

My life is getting busier by the moment. In 2016, I went back to school to get my Fitness and Exercise Science Associates degree (which I will be pursuing my Bachelor’s in it in April.) I know I am crazy! My girls are getting older and I feel like the older they get the busier I get.  I need to be very flexible with my workouts especially since I am training to be Figure Body Competitor. (Oh yeah there’s that too).  When I first started this journey I needed the comfort of predicatability and comfort of my home.  Now that this is a lifestyle and I plan on being very active in the future Soma Sole Resistance Bands are a must have for me.  

SomaSole bands are perfect for anyone who is new to resistance training from those who aren’t. They’re great to take anywhere use anywhere and you all have seen my YouTube I love love love to incorporate in my workouts.  I am so glad that I connected with them last year at IdeaWorld! I actually plan on using these even more in the New Year while I train for my very first Figure Bodybuilding Competition. When it gets warm I’m going to be that Fit mom at the park “pumping bands”, haha! Hopefully, I’ll have a whole crew of other Fit Mom’s working with me….wink wink! I am really looking forward to adding these to my training in 2017.

3.  MomSanity Core Sliders These things are the absolute best for working out your full body! I LOVE them because they ease the stress on your joints and slide on both wood floors or carpets.  Like the SomaSole you can take these anywhere and even use them with the SomaSole Bands too! I really love them for Mountain Climbers and plank jacks those are both I used to struggle with for my knees and ankles but not anymore.  In February I am going to be joining some ladies in a  I hope you join us! Alot, of people ask me, “What makes these different from furniture movers?” The shape! Most furniture movers or core sliders are circular the triangular sliders fit anyones feet correctly and you’re not constantly adjusting yourself during your workout.  They’re actually really reasonable and worth the shipping.  if you don’t have any grab some here and join me and my #fitfriends in February on Instagram as FaithFueled™ Women from all walks of life accept the challenge! MomSanity has a Great 15 minute Core Slider video to get you started!

4. MomSanity BCAAs

I have been back and forth if I want to go Supplement free for my Figure training.  I believe that God has provided us everything that we need for our bodies but if you’re not consuming those things naturally then supplements are necessary.  The only protein I take is Collagen Peptides I don’t drink protein powders any longer.  I eat the necessary amount I need if I did there are a few that I would choose.  As for BCAAs that is something that I don’t get a lot of in my diet and feel the need to supplement.  Branch Chain Amino Acids refereed to as BCAAs is created naturally in the body but because of our busy stressful lifestyles and exercise is often depleted.  I found MomSanity BCAAs last year and it is a Must Have for me! It contains a 3:1:1 Ratio of Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine and its made for mom’s and sweetened with naturally found sweeteners like Stevia, Erythritol and Monk Fruit and comes in Fruit Punch its tasty unlike other BCAAs I’ve had and not overly sweet.  This is a lifestyle for me and I want to be able to enjoy food without causing my body harm.  So, MomSanity BCAAs get my stamp or approval this year and will be apart of my exercise pre and post recovery. If you use promo code: 5OFFBCAA You’ll get $5 off this week and FREE SHIPPING till Jan. 9, 2017. 

 

5.ProYo

I was introduced to this yumminess the last week of the 2016 and it’s will be a fixture in my home for 2017.  My daughters and husband are icecream addicts. I am more a cookie and cake girl but they can do some damage to a quart of icecream.  ProYo is so filling the it’s a small serving size so you don’t over-indulge.  It’s prebiotics and probiotics alleviates bloating and even I can eat it. I love it because I can have a ProYo instead of a Protein Shake and get 20g of Protein, 3g of fiber, 2g of fat and they’re rich in calcium. We’ve also been make some treats with it too.  Oh and they’re gluten-free. No binders! The lil diva’s will clean their plate for a ProYo dessert and I get away with giving them a healthy treat. Comes in 4 delicious flavors! Bluberry Pomegrante which is my fave, Ed and Boo love Chocolate and Kyhia loves Vanilla and Blueberry Pomegrante. It also comes in Banana and  I made  the most yumminess Banana Yogurt Cake with. Since the family enjoys these so much this is a Must Have and a great compromise. #MomWin

There is so much out there on the market, thousands of products but these are just a few that I really believe can help you with your goal this year to live a happy healthier life!

What are some products you discovered last year?