immune system Archives

How Probiotics Improve Immunity: Gut-Immune Connection

How Probiotics Improve Immunity: The Gut-Immune System Connection

Diet, Digestive Health, Probiotics / By Staff Writer

Your gut is the headquarters of your immune system. The bacteria and other microbes living in your digestive system, known as the microbiota, are constantly communicating with your immune cells, teaching them how to fight germs, tamp down inflammation, and protect your body from allergies and infection. Keeping your microbiota strong and diverse means a healthier immune system and a better you.

That’s old news for anyone doing research about how probiotics can support their immune system. What’s missing from the plethora of most content arguing that probiotic supplementation can help optimize your immune system is: exactly how do probiotic bacteria accomplish that? In other words, how does the engine that ensures your gut health cross over and support your immune system?

Full disclosure – there are a lot of scientific pages that explore how gut health affects immune health available, but doctors and scientists write the content for doctors and scientists. That makes it hard to understand. Hard to digest, pun intended, for nonprofessionals. This blog post discusses how your gut health can boost your immune system as simply as possible.

How Probiotics Improve Immunity – The Basics

What Are Probiotics and How Do Probiotics Improve Immunity?

Probiotics are living “good” bacteria that, when consumed in the right amounts, help maintain a healthy gut and support a body’s immune defenses.
Probiotics Improve Immunity in the Following Ways:
- They Refactor The Balance of Bacteria in Your Gut, Crowding Out any Bad Bacteria and Viruses Allowing the Gut to Function at Peak Efficiency.
- They Stimulate Immune Cells, Triggering the Production of Protective Cytokines and Antibodies – Key Elements in a Robust Immune System.
- They Strengthen the Gut Barrier, Making it Harder for Germs to Get Into Your Bloodstream.
- They Reduce Excess Inflammation, Which Helps Prevent Allergies, Asthma, and Autoimmune Issues.
- They Create Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs), Which are Natural Chemicals That Calm Inflammation and also Feed Your Gut Lining.

What Are Prebiotics and Postbiotics? How do They Support Gut and Immune Health?

Prebiotics are plant fibers found in foods like bananas, onions, garlic, and whole grains. Your body can’t digest them, but your good gut bacteria can.
- Prebiotics Feed Beneficial Bacteria, So They Multiply and Stay Strong and Reduce the Need for Probiotic Supplements. A Diet Rich in Prebiotics Helps Preserve/Restore Gut Health Naturally.
- They Help Produce More IgA antibodies, which are Key to Effective Immune Responses that Safeguard Your Gut Lining From Infection.
- Prebiotics Lower Inflammation by Strengthening the Gut Barrier.
Postbiotics are helpful substances produced when probiotics digest prebiotics.
- Postbiotics Include SCFAS, Antimicrobial Compounds, and Immune-Signaling Molecules That Reduce Inflammation and Help Keep The Gut Wall Strong.
- They Also Help Train Your Immune System to React Calmly, Reducing the Risk of Allergy Attacks or Autoimmune Problems.

Best Foods for Gut Health

It’s possible to get optimum gut health by eating a diet rich in prebiotic and probiotic foods and reducing processed foods from your diet as much as possible. It’s not difficult to introduce healthy food from the categories mentioned above. Here are a few examples of healthy foods you can feed your gut today.

Top Prebiotic Food Sources:
- Garlic
- Onions
- Asparagus
- Bananas
- Whole grains
Fermented Foods are Natural Probiotics:
- Yogurt (with live cultures)
- Kefir
- Sauerkraut
- Kimchi
- Miso

Single Strain vs. Multi-Strain Probiotics

Although the evidence is clear that most people benefit from taking a multi-strain probiotic, single-strain probiotics play an important role in gut health too. For example, if you’re suffering from a specific gut issue, your doctor might suggest taking a single-strain probiotic supplement, but these cases require specific information about your current microbiome or gut disease. The key takeaway from the single vs. multi-strain versions of probiotic supplements is that more strains are typically better to ensure that your gut flora is as diverse as possible. Below is a chart that shows the difference between single vs. multi-strain probiotics and their impact on gut diversity:

Note: EndoMune Advanced Probiotic Combines 10 Strains Plus Prebiotics For A Full-Spectrum Effect: Supporting Gut Barrier Strength, Modulating Immune Response, And Improving Overall Digestive Health.

How Probiotics Help Against Allergies, Infections, and Inflammation

How They Reduce Allergy Risks: Probiotics and Prebiotics Help Train Your Immune System to Ignore Harmless Things Like Pollen or Certain Foods, Lowering Your Chance of Allergic Reactions.
How They Prevent Infections: The Right Gut Microbes Strengthen Mucus and Antibody Defenses in the Gut, Mouth, Nose, and Lungs, Making it Harder for Viruses and Bacteria to Thrive Inside Your Body.
How They Calm Chronic Inflammation: Probiotics Lower “Bad” Inflammatory Messengers (Like TNF-Α And IL-6) Linked to Autoimmune Diseases, Obesity, and Diabetes.
Research Shows: Regular Probiotics May Support Recovery From Respiratory Illnesses, Including Colds and Possibly Even COVID-19.

Key Takeaway to Optimize Your Immune Health with Gut Support

Taking care of your gut microbiota by eating a fiber-rich, plant-based diet and supplementing with a high-quality, multi-strain probiotic like EndoMune Advanced Probiotic can make your immune system smarter, stronger, and more balanced. A healthy gut means fewer infections, less inflammation, and a happier, more resilient you.

FAQs About Probiotics, Prebiotics & Immune Health

Q: Can probiotics help with allergies?
A: Yes, by strengthening the gut barrier and improving immune tolerance, probiotics and prebiotics lower the risk and severity of allergies.

Q: What’s the difference between probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics?

Probiotics are live, helpful bacteria that live in your gut.
Prebiotics are plant fibers that feed good probiotic bacteria.
Postbiotics are health-boosting compounds made by probiotics when they digest prebiotics.

Q: Are multi-strain probiotics better than single-strain?
A: Multi-strain probiotics, like EndoMune, offer broader support for gut and immune health by delivering several types of beneficial bacteria, improving diversity and full-body resilience.

Q: How often should I take probiotics for immune benefits?
A: Many studies recommend daily use, especially during cold/flu seasons, after antibiotics, or when experiencing digestive issues. Always choose clinically tested and transparent formulas.

References

Frontiers in Nutrition: “Unveiling the therapeutic symphony of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics in gut-immune harmony” (2024). https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1355542/full
Probiotics Mechanisms: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10972033/
COVID-19 and Probiotics: https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/eff/Article/101081

How Probiotics Improve Immunity: The Gut-Immune System Connection Read More »

how to stay healthy during a boil water notice: tips and the role of probiotics

How to Stay Healthy During a Boil Water Notice: Tips & the Role of Probiotics

Digestive Health, Probiotics / By Staff Writer

Quick Facts: Boil Water Notices & Your Health

How to Stay Healthy During a Boil Water Notice

Question	Answer
What is a boil water notice?	A public health advisory to boil tap water before use due to possible contamination.
Why are boil water notices issued?	Usually after water main breaks, power outages, source water contamination, or loss of pressure in the water system.
What health risks are involved?	Potential exposure to bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause stomach illness.
How long should water be boiled?	Bring to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute (longer at high altitudes).
Can probiotics help after a boil water notice?	Certain strains may help protect gut health if you accidentally ingest contaminated water.

Why Do Boil Water Notices Happen?

Boil water notices are issued when something happens that could let germs into your water supply. This can include water main breaks, floods, power outages, or a sudden loss of water pressure. Boil water notices may also be triggered if the source water supply is contaminated by a spill, accident, or natural disaster. These events make it possible for bacteria, viruses, or parasites to get into your tap water, which could make you sick.

Health Risks During a Boil Water Notice

If you drink or use unboiled tap water during a boil water notice, you risk getting sick from harmful microbes. These can cause symptoms like:

Diarrhea
Nausea and vomiting
Stomach cramps
Headaches

Infants, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for serious illness. If you have anyone in your household that are immuno-compromised, extra vigilance is warranted.

Best Practices for How to Stay Healthy in a Boil Water Notice

To protect yourself and your family during a boil water notice, follow these steps:

Boil All Tap Water For At Least 1 Minute Before Drinking, Cooking, Brushing Teeth, Or Washing Fruits and Vegetables.
Use Bottled or Boiled Water for Making Baby Formula, Coffee, And Ice.
Wash Dishes with Boiled or Disinfected Water or Use Disposable Plates and Utensils.
Bathe And Wash Hands as Usual but Avoid Swallowing Water.
Flush Faucets And Replace Water Filters After The Notice Is Lifted.

How Probiotics Can Help Protect Your Health

Even with precautions, accidental exposure to contaminated water can happen. Probiotics—live, beneficial gut bacteria—may help support your gut’s natural defenses during this time:

Strengthen The Gut Barrier: Certain Probiotic Strains (Like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) Help Keep the Lining of Your Intestines Strong, Making it Harder for Harmful Germs to Cause Problems.
Compete With Pathogens: Probiotics Can Crowd Out Bad Bacteria and Viruses, Reducing the Risk of Infection.
Support Immune Function: A Healthy Gut Microbiome Boosts Your Immune System, Helping Your Body Fight Off Invaders.
Reduce The Impact of Accidental Exposure: Some Studies Suggest Probiotics May Help Lower the Risk or Severity of Diarrhea Caused by Contaminated Water or Food.

Why Choose EndoMune Advanced Probiotic?

EndoMune Advanced Probiotic contains 10 research-backed strains of beneficial bacteria—including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium—plus a prebiotic to nourish them. This combination supports a healthy gut, strengthens your immune system, and helps your body defend itself during times of increased risk, such as after a boil water notice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I shower or bathe during a boil water notice?
A: Yes, as long as you don’t swallow the water. Be extra cautious with infants and young children.

Q: Is it safe to wash clothes during a boil water notice?
A: Yes. Washing clothes in regular tap water is safe.

Q: Should I use boiled water for brushing my teeth?
A: Absolutely. Always use boiled or bottled water for brushing teeth during a boil water notice.

Q: How do probiotics help if I accidentally drink contaminated water?
A: Probiotics can help your gut resist harmful germs, reduce inflammation, and support your immune system, which may lower your risk of getting sick.

Q: When should I start taking a probiotic?
A: Probiotics are most effective when taken daily as part of your routine, but they may be especially helpful during and after a boil water notice.

Call to Action

Stay safe during a boil water notice by following public health guidelines and supporting your gut with a daily probiotic like EndoMune Advanced Probiotic. If you have health concerns or symptoms, consult your healthcare provider.

Sources

Possible Roles of Probiotics and Gut Microbiota – PubMed Central

How to Stay Healthy During a Boil Water Notice: Tips & the Role of Probiotics Read More »

8 steps to protect yourself from the flu

8 Easy Steps to Protect Yourself From The Flu

Disease, Probiotics / By Staff Writer

8 Easy Steps to Protect Yourself From The Flu

Are you far from ready for the 2023-24 flu season? These easy-to-follow steps can go a long, long way to protect you.

With the extreme heat of the summer finally fading away and the kids getting back to school, the CDC has already begun its annual campaign of dos and don’ts for the 2023-24 flu season.

That’s no surprise, considering last year’s unique “tripledemic” problems with the flu, RSV and the recent strains of COVID-19. What’s more, we may experience an earlier-than-usual flu season that may peak sooner just like last year, according to experts at Johns Hopkins.

The good news: Many of you are more prepared than usual, and have already scheduled appointments to get vaccinated for the flu, COVID-19 and RSV.

But keeping current on vaccines alone won’t protect you and your family entirely from the flu or any other respiratory virus. Fortunately, there’s a lot more you can do to protect your health from the flu. Here are 8 steps that can help you do just that!

Follow these 8 steps to protect your family from the flu

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. (Do your part to protect your loved ones if you’re sick by keeping your distance too.)
Wash your hands often with plain soap and water thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. (When you can’t access soap and water, use a hand sanitizer formulated with at least 70 percent isopropyl alcohol.)
Do your best to keep surfaces at work and home as clean as you can. (The flu virus can live on hard surfaces for a long while, according to the Mayo Clinic.)
Get the right amount of sleep you need every night. (Sleep is one of the easiest and best things you can do to stay healthy!)
Don’t even think about asking your family doctor for an antibiotic to treat a case of the flu. (It’s completely unnecessary if you follow these steps.)
Drink plenty of water. (Don’t overdo it with caffeine-heavy drinks like coffee, carbonated beverages and energy drinks.)
Keep moving by incorporating some form of exercise in your daily routine. (Even walking makes a difference!)
Pay close attention to your emotions and stress levels, and give yourself the gift of free time every day. (Stepping away from the world for just 30 minutes of peace and quiet helps.)

All of these simple steps also serve one very important purpose: Protecting the health of your gut, the center of your immune system. We also know that life can get in the way of the best-laid plans, especially during the busy fall and winter months when the flu and other bugs are swimming around us.

That’s why we remind you to take a probiotic, ideally containing multiple strains of proven, beneficial bacteria along with a prebiotic that feeds the good bacteria in your gut like EndoMune Advanced Probiotic.

Resources

AARP

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

CDC

Cleveland Clinic

8 Easy Steps to Protect Yourself From The Flu Read More »

Does Your Child Need A “Probiotic” Sandbox?

Children’s Health, Probiotics / By Staff Writer

Does Your Child Need A “Probiotic” Sandbox?

There is clean, and there is too clean, especially when it comes to protecting the gut health of your kids.

Soaps and cleaning products formulated with antibacterial and antimicrobial chemicals often do more harm than good, triggering gut health imbalances that can leave your child vulnerable to very basic health challenges like obesity.

Thanks to the hygiene hypothesis, we recognize exposing young children to a wider array of microbes strengthens their developing immune systems.

When kids are concerned, it can be tough to maintain a balance between healthy and unhealthy exposure to microbes which led European researchers to test the benefits of a probiotic sandbox that recently appeared in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.

A Gut-Healthy Sandbox?

Scientists conducted a small, double-blind study with the help of six daycare centers in southern Finland. Two sets of sandboxes were enhanced with a microbial-rich powder containing soil, leaf litter and moss, while the remaining sandboxes featured a typical mix of sand and peat material.

For the study, 26 children (ages 3-5) participated in supervised play for 20 minutes twice a day for two weeks while researchers tracked microbial changes in skin, stool and blood samples before and after the 14 days.

Not surprisingly, children exposed to the microbial-rich sandboxes had more diverse skin and gut microbiomes and changes in their blood that revealed greater concentrations of immune cells.

Stick With A Probiotic

These results sound encouraging, but are they really practical for children not supervised by scientists?

Sandboxes require lots of oversight by parents to ensure they stay clean, especially if their children are still wearing diapers. And, there’s the potential for contamination from bugs and other creepy crawlies too.

A sandbox mixed with beneficial microbes sounds like a good idea, but it will never replace the reliable gut health benefits your child receives from taking a probiotic formulated for his/her developing microbiome like EndoMune Kids Advanced.

Resources

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP)

WikiHow

Does Your Child Need A “Probiotic” Sandbox? Read More »

graphic of a digestive system with a virus next to it. Text reads "Long Covid: Gut Bacteria (im)balances May Affect Your Risks

Stop Long COVID

Disease / By Staff Writer

Multi-Strain Probiotics: A Long COVID Solution

The balance of bacteria in the human gut goes a long way toward dictating the state of your health and the ability of your immune system to defend you from health challenges as they come.

So, it wasn’t surprising to learn that gut bacteria imbalances have emerged as a new marker for Long COVID.

As many as 7 percent of all COVID-19 patients experienced at least one symptom of Long COVID up to six months later, according to a report in Nature Communications issued late last year.

Although hard numbers are difficult to come by, some experts believe as many as 23 million Americans have been affected by Long COVID symptoms, and at least 1 million have lost their jobs as a result.

Fortunately, a very simple non-drug solution — a multi-strain probiotic — may be a huge help in treating acute and Long COVID symptoms.

Probiotics To The Rescue!

Interest in testing the benefits of probiotics kicked into high gear after an informal app-based study by Kings College in the UK involving more than 400,000 patients found that those who were taking probiotics regularly lowered their COVID risks.

British researchers took the next step by measuring the benefits of probiotics formulated with five strains of beneficial bacteria from the Lactobacillus and Lactococcus families and a prebiotic taken by 126 COVID patients for 30 days.

(Four of the five strains tested in this study are key ingredients contained in EndoMune Advanced Probiotic.)

Among patients taking probiotics, a majority (86) had been dealing with Long COVID symptoms for an average of 120 days while the remainder had presented COVID symptoms for about 10 days.

Not surprisingly, three key COVID symptoms — coughing, fatigue and overall wellbeing — improved significantly after a month-long trial of probiotics, along with reports from patients about improvements in their gut health-related symptoms.

One interesting finding: Patients who were treated in a hospital setting for COVID with probiotics and were older and more sedentary enjoyed greater health improvements.

What’s more, scientists attributed those probiotic benefits to relief from gut health issues related to taking antibiotics and other medications.

Taking Preventative Measures

Another important reason why the results of this UK-based study are so important: COVID will be around for the foreseeable future.

Even if you’ve already had COVID, there’s a chance one of the growing number of variants circulating could infect you a second time, depending on your precautions, existing health risk factors and vaccine status.

Having a strong immune system is more important than ever, especially if you want to protect your health from COVID or, worse, the lingering symptoms of Long COVID.

Given what we already know about Long COVID symptoms linked to a less diverse microbiome, taking a multi-species probiotic like EndoMune Advanced Probiotic makes good gut sense!

Resources

NHS/Cambridge University Hospitals

Infectious Diseases Diagnosis & Treatment

U.S. Government Accountability Office

BMJ

Nature Communications

Cleveland Clinic

Stop Long COVID Read More »

TEXT: Antibiotics 101 How to protect your gut health

Antibiotics 101: Protect Your Gut

Digestive Health, Drug interactions, Probiotics / By Staff Writer

Antibiotics 101: How to Protect Your Gut Health

Every so often, we like to remind you about basic health and lifestyle steps you can take that may help or harm your gut health, like the do’s and don’ts of taking an antibiotic safely.

Antibiotics were once considered “miracle” drugs that treated serious health issues and controlled the spread of disease. For example, some childhood conditions like strep throat and bacterial meningitis were fatal diseases before antibiotics.

Over time, however, antibiotic drugs transitioned from their “miracle” status to being prescribed for many more health problems, such as viral infections like colds, the flu and most coughs and many sinus infections, that do more harm than good.

An estimated 43 percent of the antibiotic prescriptions in America were issued for health problems that were completely unnecessary, based on numbers compiled in a 2019 Oregon State University report.

How did this happen?

The simple explanation: The overuse of antibiotics, plus our exposure to antibacterial chemicals in soaps, paints and even gym equipment, has over-sterilized our lives to such a degree that these drugs may promote resistance and, in some cases, do not work as they should or at all.

This could lead to infections that cannot be treated with antibiotics become much more costly (more expensive treatments, trips to the doctor) and much harder to treat.

Are you concerned about that next antibiotic prescription from your physician? We’ve got you covered.

Your antibiotic protocol

Antibiotics are valuable medications when they’re prescribed by your doctor for good reasons, not because you’ve had a persistent cold or flu and want to feel better right now.

If you’re concerned about over-exposure to antibiotics, it’s important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Do not be afraid to ask them questions!

And, if you do need to take an antibiotic, take them as prescribed by your physician until your course is completed. That’s critical because lots of people only take antibiotics until they start feeling better, then drop them.

Here are some extra steps you can take on your own to lessen the need for antibiotics:

Keep your hands clean with plain soap and warm water, and ditch the antibacterial soap.
Cook your foods thoroughly, and have a working food thermometer in your kitchen always at the ready.
Monitor your use of prescription pain relievers, as some may worsen the problem.
Stay up-to-date on your doctor-recommended vaccinations. Some vaccines will protect you and your family from bacterial infections stemming from whooping cough and diphtheria.

When you absolutely need to take an antibiotic for a health problem, please remember that it’s vital to protect your gut, the center of your body’s immune system too.

Antibiotics create problems for the gut by depleting the balance of bacteria that normally keep you healthy. If you have to take an antibiotic and want to protect the health of your gut, consider taking a probiotic, ideally with multiple strains of beneficial bacteria like EndoMune Advanced Probiotic.

EndoMune’s powerful formula of 10 beneficial strains of bacteria from the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus families and a prebiotic (that feeds the good bugs in your gut) not only protects but supports your immune health.

Taking a probiotic like EndoMune about two hours before that necessary antibiotic gives those beneficial bacteria extra time to reach your gut and protect it and your immune health when you really need it the most.

Resources

Antibiotics 101: Protect Your Gut Read More »

Could a Probiotic Help You?

Digestive Health, Drug interactions, Mental Health, Probiotics, Women’s Health / By Staff Writer

Probiotics seem to be everywhere right now; in the cereal aisle at the grocery store, lining the supplement shelves, we’re even seeing them in the beauty and skincare section! Hearing about all the benefits of probiotics may have you wondering, “Do I need to take one?”

Defined by the World Health Organization, probiotics are “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.” They are not chemicals like antibiotics, but cultures of live bacteria or yeasts that help to maintain the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut microbiome. When your gut becomes unbalanced it can cause many health issues, such as gas, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and obesity. Probiotics have been shown to help “restore the healthy composition and function of the gut microbiome” and thus, help combat many of these troublesome issues.

Think taking a probiotic supplement could benefit you? Below we’ll discuss a handful of reasons why people may be adding a probiotic supplement to their daily routine.

When you need immune system support

Do you feel like you get sick every flu or cold season? If yes, then you may need to strengthen your immune system. 70-80% of your immune system resides in your gut and the health of your microbiome directly impacts the overall health of your immune system. Probiotics are a great way to help support your immune system and protect your body against harmful viruses.

When you’re taking antibiotics

Antibiotics are used to kill disease-causing bacteria in the body. This is good, but sometimes taking an antibiotic can trigger diarrhea. That’s because these strong antibiotics can kill our good bacteria while targeting the bad bacteria resulting in an unbalanced microbiome. Taking a probiotic while on antibiotics is a great way to help your body stay in balance and prevent a case of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

It’s important to remember to take your probiotic supplements at least two hours after taking your antibiotics to ensure the antibiotics do not kill the good bacteria in your probiotics!

When you’re having digestive problems (and when you’re not!)

If you constantly suffer from stomach problems such as gas, constipation, bloating, and diarrhea, your microbiome may be unbalanced. Taking a probiotic has been shown to help restore the balance of your gut microbiome and improve the functioning of your GI tract.

When you have allergies

Up to 30% of the general population suffers from one or more atopic diseases including allergies, asthma, and eczema. These are usually caused by heightened immune responses to common allergens, especially inhaled or food allergens. Probiotics have been shown to help alleviate allergic inflammation and food allergy symptoms. Another published study demonstrated that the probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei decreased the number of days preschool children with allergic rhinitis were sick over 12 months. If you tend to lock yourself inside during allergy season, then a probiotic may be what you need!

When you experience frequent yeast infections

If you suffer from frequent yeast infections, it could be a sign that there is a disturbance of the beneficial bacteria in your body. Studies have shown that supplementing with probiotics can improve symptoms of yeast infections and may also be able to prevent potential infections. Vaginal yeast infections are surprisingly common, as 75% of all women are likely to have a yeast infection at least once in their lives. While there are many treatment options, beginning to take a probiotic supplement is one of the easiest, all-natural ways to correct the loss of good bacteria and bring your body back into balance.

Convinced yet?

It can be difficult to maintain the balance of bacteria in your microbiome when things like diet, travel, and stress can throw it off. In some circumstances, eating plenty of probiotic-rich foods may not be enough, and a probiotic supplement may be able to help keep everything in line. If you find yourself experiencing any of these health concerns consider taking a probiotic supplement to help achieve a healthy microbiome, strong immune system, and an overall healthy body.

Could a Probiotic Help You? Read More »

Your Gut Healthy Protocol During the Coronavirus Holiday Season

Disease, Probiotics / By Staff Writer

It’s THAT time of year when our thoughts turn to the holidays and celebrating the end of the old year and the start of a brand new one.

But this holiday season is unlike any other in recent memory, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

During the Thanksgiving break, the CDC asked Americans to stay put and not travel. So far, there are no indications that future advisories from federal health officials will change very much at least in the short term.

With families staying at home as much as possible and limiting their contact to very small groups of people — appropriately distanced, of course — the last thing you should be worried about is your gut health, right?

Wrong. Here are 3 reasons why you should be:

How are you sleeping?

The health of your gut (and your body) is affected by shifts in your body’s circadian eat-sleep-wake cycles.

Disturbing that schedule — anything from long work hours to getting to know your new PS5 — messes up those natural processes the gut performs on its own while you’re sleeping.

Getting the sleep you need and sticking with a schedule matters, along with eating enough prebiotics, a natural part of whole foods ranging from onions to almonds and jicama.

How are your emotions?

Because many of you are staying home and glued to your work desk (or that shiny new PS5 next to your TV), your emotions may be up, down or all around depending on your mood and the time of day.

It’s certainly understandable, given that we live for our human connections to the outside world.

Maintaining the vital connection that links your brain, intestines, and emotions — your gut-brain axis — helps you regulate those stressors naturally and effectively.

How’s your diet?

If you’re staying home a lot more, your once healthy and balanced diet may have fallen by the wayside, in favor of more highly processed foods full of sugar — real or artificial — and chemicals that disrupt the critical balance of good bacteria in your gut.

5 ways to protect your immune system

This trio of variables all leads up to one very serious problem: A disrupted immune system that can leave you very vulnerable to an array of health problems.

What’s more, a growing number of experts all over the world are coming around to the belief that gut health is the key, not only to stay healthy in the good times, but to reduce your risk of respiratory infections too.

With all of this in mind, here’s your updated gut-health protocol to help you and your family stay safe during this coronavirus holiday season:

Keep the surfaces in your bathrooms and kitchens as clean as possible.
Get on a sleep schedule and stick to it. (Put the PS5 in the closet when you’re not using it.)
About schedules: Take breaks for healthy, balanced meals away from the TV or computer screens and get a little exercise. Even a short walk with your dog helps!
Keep those hands clean with plain soap and water. No antibacterial soap necessary!
Give your gut health a much-needed boost by taking a probiotic, ideally containing multiple strains of beneficial bacteria.

Although your gut is a diverse environment that requires an array of species to do countless things behind the scenes, lots of probiotics still rely on one strain of beneficial bacteria to do the heavy lifting. Simply, these single-strain probiotics just aren’t up to the job.

Our multi-strain probiotic, like EndoMune Advanced Probiotic, is fortified with 10 strains of beneficial bacteria from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium families, plus a prebiotic (FOS) that feed the good bacteria in your gut.

Protecting your gut by following our updated protocol will help you stay healthy through the holidays and to a better 2021.

References

Microorganisms

Frontiers in Psychiatry

PNAS

Gut Microbiota For Health

UNC Health/WRAL.com

Current Pharmaceutical Design

Your Gut Healthy Protocol During the Coronavirus Holiday Season Read More »

How Probiotics Support Your Immune System

Disease, Probiotics / By Staff Writer

During the unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic, we’ve seen a renewed focus from our customers on ways to “support your immune system.” The obvious question is: can probiotics, by helping your gut be as healthy as possible, also support your immune system? Although probiotics are proven to help digestion and optimal gut health, recent studies indicate probiotics also protect and enhance your immune system.

The primary reason probiotics, by strengthening your gut health, help your immune system function better is simple. Your gut and immune system have a symbiotic relationship. For example, 70-80% of your immune cells are located in your gut. The health of your gut directly impacts the overall health of your entire immune system.

Healthy guts make healthy immune systems. Conversely, compromised, unhealthy guts erode the effectiveness of immune system function. That leads to potentially more illnesses like common colds, flu, and many other infections – potentially even COVID-19.

Scientists have known for years that our microbiome helps keep overactive immune responses (leading to conditions like IBS and other autoimmune diseases) in check. However, they were still unsure of the exact mechanisms that drive this interaction.

Vitamin A

Emerging research may have found one of the potential answers. Vitamin A seems to help the healthy bacteria in our guts produce beneficial chemicals and activate naturally occurring vitamin A found in the food we eat that helps regulate our immune system naturally. After all, our goal as medical professionals is to help your body defend itself from disease naturally without medications, and the frontline of your body’s war against threats from bacteria and viral diseases is in your gut.

A study led by Shipra Vaishnava, Assistant Professor of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at Brown University, found that when your gut has an adequate level of vitamin A, your gut seems to be able to suppress overactive immune responses. That suggests that instead of your body’s defense system attacking helpful bacteria in your gut and upsetting the natural balance of these necessary flora, they can coexist with each other peacefully; hopefully, leading to a combination of optimal gut and immune system health function.

“A lot of these diseases are attributed to increased immune response or immune activation, but we’ve found a new way that bacteria in our gut can dampen the immune response,” Shipra Vaishnava argues. “This research could be critical in determining therapies in the case of autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease or other inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as vitamin A deficiency.”

Simply put, probiotic supplements give your body the ability to absorb nutrients more efficiently, resulting in an improved immune system. That’s why better gut health prepares your body to defend itself against external threats – even during a pandemic.

Diversifying your Gut to Strengthen your Immune System

Since a COVID-19 vaccine may not be available until sometime next year, anyone looking for ways to build up your body’s defenses naturally should make sure your body has a diverse microbiome which leads to a healthy gut. A health gut, in turn, leads to a more robust, healthier immune system

The best way to increase microbiome diversity is to eat foods that support a healthy gut, and avoiding alcohol and highly processed foods. We get it, that’s always hard to do, and is challenging during a pandemic like COVID-19. One easy way to help your gut stay healthy and strong is to take a multistrain probiotic like EndoMune Advanced Probiotics.

However, don’t forget to help your body stay strong by managing your mental health, getting enough sleep, and staying physically active if you can do so safely.

It’s small, daily steps like these that make a big difference in protecting your health.

For more information on how to combat the Coronavirus, read our previous blog:

C oronavirus: Protect Your Immune System

How Probiotics Support Your Immune System Read More »

Coronavirus: Protect Your Immune System

Disease / By Staff Writer

Just when you thought you were prepared for the worst of the cold and flu season, here comes COVID-19, better known as the coronavirus. As the coronavirus has spread across the globe and made its way around the world to America, most of you are concerned, as you should be.

However, there’s been lots of fear-mongering conspiracies shared about the coronavirus by media sources choosing to scare you rather than truly help you.

Still, your number one priority during this coronavirus pandemic —protecting your immune system — remains the same as it does during our annual flu fight.

Unfortunately, the coronavirus doesn’t have a vaccine on the market preventing it, and there may not be one available for quite some time. Some researchers estimate that a vaccine may not be available for 12-18 months.

So, what can you do?

Your updated healthy habits list

With no vaccine coming for a while, here’s your updated healthy habits list. This time there will be a greater emphasis on protecting your immune health.

Wash your hands with soap and water often. It is recommended to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating and after toileting, sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose.
Work on not touching your nose, mouth and eyes so much. (Yes, it’s very hard to do!)
Cover your nose or mouth when sneezing or coughing with a facial tissue. Be sure to throw it away afterwards!
Keep common surfaces you use a lot (your kitchen sink, countertop and bathroom lavatory) as clean as you can. Household sprays will do perfectly fine for this task.
Eat healthy meals and get as much exercise as you can.
Avoid close contact with the sick and stay home when you’re sick. The CDC recommends not spending money on a mask unless you wear it to protect others from the coronavirus.

Boosting the bugs in your gut with a probiotic supports your immune system too… but how?

Multiple strains of bacteria make a difference

Although there has been no testing of probiotics against the coronavirus, a group of researchers examined the effect of 12 strains of beneficial bacteria contained in probiotics to fight viral diseases in a review published in Current Pharmaceutical Design.

In most instances, these strains of beneficial bacteria reduced the severity of symptoms (diarrhea, coughing, fevers) from colds and flu and upper respiratory infections in young children and healthy adults.

(Scientists tested a number of strains including Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium lactis contained in EndoMune Advanced Probiotic.)

Follow my updated healthy habits list, monitor news reports from trusted sources like the CDC and World Health Organization and take a probiotic. By taking these simple steps, you’re doing all you can to protect you and yours from the coronavirus.

Advisory Note:

Facts and findings are always being updated on the status of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. For the most updated advisories on the COVID-19/coronavirus, visit CDC.org (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html).

References

World Health Organization

CDC

Current Pharmaceutical Design

New York Times

NBC News

The Hill

Coronavirus: Protect Your Immune System Read More »