We all know that to remain healthy we need to eat a balanced diet. That means for most of us, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, a little lean meat, dairy foods, nuts, and whole grained (rather than white) breads, pastas and cereals. However what happens if you eat the best diet but don’t feel the benefits? Well, even the best diet - high in plant based foods and fresh whole foods - can go to waste if you don’t have a healthy digestive system.

The journey of a thousand miles, begins with just one chew…

From the moment we place food in our mouths, our digestive system works to provide our body with the nutrients necessary for life. Firstly, our teeth break the food into easier to swallow particles, saliva works to moisten food and kick off the start of the digestive process. Once swallowed, our food travels down the oesophagus into the stomach. The stomach churns and mixes our foods with acids and enzymes that help to break down carbohydrates (like fruits, vegetables, bread and noodles), as well as beginning the breakdown of fats and proteins (such as those found in dairy and meats). Foods are then propelled into the small intestine, where bile stored in the gall bladder is released to help the body to break down fats. At the same time, extra enzymes are secreted from the pancreas that help the body break proteins down into their building blocks, small particles known as amino acids. Finally, following digestion by enzymes and acids; vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients are absorbed by the body and transported via the blood stream to their target organs or tissues.

The importance of healthy gut flora - probiotics

Once most nutrients are absorbed by the body, any food that cannot be broken down or used, travels into the bowel to be fermented and excreted. During the fermentation some final nutrients are absorbed into the body (like vitamin B12, Iron and Folate), while waste products are prepared for removal from the body. In order for this process to occur effectively and without issue, probiotic bacteria are extremely important.

Probiotics are good bacteria that help the body to absorb and produce key nutrients

A healthy gut contains millions upon millions of beneficial bacteria. These bacteria work by creating a healthy and balanced environment in the digestive tract while supporting the digestion of food and crowding out bad bacteria. Beneficial bacteria can be destroyed as a result of a number of differing conditions in the body. Whether due to inflammation, unhealthy foods in your diet destroying bacteria, or by the simple fact that you are taking bacteria-killing antibiotics, probiotics are beneficial for health for a number of reasons. The strength of a probiotic supplement is defined by two clear factors:

1. What is the total probiotic count (i.e. is there a total of 10 billion, 25 billion or 50 billion colony forming units in the product).
2. How many differing strains are present in the product (as the more diverse the strains in the product, the more benefits experienced).

So to support the health of both your total digestive and immune systems, choose a product with multiple strains of bacteria, and a strong colony forming unit (CFU) count.

Mr Vitamins recommends

Nutra-Life ProBiotic 50Billion

With the benefit of 50 billion good bacteria units per capsule, this shelf stable, therapeutic strength probiotic combines 11 strains of scientifically researched bacteria, in dairy free, vegan and vegetarian friendly, capsule. Being shelf stable, this product does not need to be refrigerated to assure its potency. Find out more and shop online for Nutra-Life ProBiotic 50Bimmion here