Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
PRIMARY FOOD, LIFESTYLE AND OUR HEALTH~JOY by: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT “The best way to choose what to keep and what to throw away is to take each item in one’s hand and ask: ‘Does this spark joy?’ If it does, keep it. …
Kidney Health Part 1 Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND No conversation about the liver would be complete without talking about the kidneys since one of the functions of the kidneys is to help remove waste from our body. Now I understand that kidney health can be …
Prozyme Digest
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
As a Naturopathic doctor I find myself often recommending that people use a probiotic and a digestive enzyme. These each have many benefits for our health. That is why I have chosen to highlight a product that contains both! This product is Prozyme Digest. This is a fantastic formula because not only are you getting the benefits of two supplements in one it is a chewable tablet. But just why do probiotics and digestive enzymes are so important? Let us get into it, shall we?
Let us talk about the probiotic blend first. Prozyme Digest contains 14 billion CFUs and is a combination of 6 different strains of beneficial bacteria. Studies have found many benefits to using probiotics. In fact, studies have found that using a probiotic can help reduce symptoms of both Chrons disease and Ulcerative colitis (these are both forms of IBD). (1) Studies have also found that using a probiotic can improve quality of life in those with IBS. (2) Studies have also found that in addition to helping with diarrhea probiotics may increase the number of bowel movements in those who suffer infrequent bowel movements and thus help with constipation in the long run .(3) If you can recall in my blog on the gallbladder I mentioned that rapid weight loss is a risk factor for gallstones. That means that in those who undergo bariatric surgery gallstones are a real concern. In one study, after 6 months of using probiotics the risk of gall stone formation was reduced after bariatric surgery. (4) What other potential benefits to probiotics are there? Well studies have found that using a probiotic can help with seasonal allergies. (5) One interesting study found that in children born to mothers who used probiotics there were less allergies experienced. (6)
Studies have also found that using a probiotic can help to reduce the risk factors for metabolic syndrome. For example, probiotics led to reduced abdominal obesity. (7) Another study that they can help to improve insulin resistance. (8) Something intriguing is that probiotics, when added to a protocol for high blood pressure were able to help reduce the blood pressure numbers. (9) Lastly, probiotics have been shown to help our immune system fight off “different types of bad guys” that cause us to feel sick such as when you have a viral infection. (10) Overall probiotics pack a punch when it comes to our health. I could go on even longer talking about their benefits and still not get everything they do! But I have covered what I think are their most important benefits.
But let us not forget, in addition to the probiotic formula, Prozyme Digest contains a complete digestive enzyme blend. So, let us get into it. Studies have found that using digestive enzymes can help to reduce the risk of gallstones. (4) Studies have also found that digestive enzymes are effective at reducing bloating and even gas. (11). Other studies have found that in addition to helping with gas digestive enzymes can improve overall digestion and even reduce abdominal pain. (12) Digestive enzymes might help digestive symptoms such as gas in those with both IBS and IBD. (13) Lastly studies have found enormous potential for digestive enzymes helping digestion in those with certain malabsorption disorders such as lactose intolerance and Cystic fibrosis. (14)
As you can see, both probiotics and digestive enzymes have amazing benefits. Having both in one chewable tablet makes for an overall fantastic easy to use supplement!
Our next blog topic will focus on the kidneys and dialysis.
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Gallbladder: What is it? And what does it do? Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND In this current series we have mostly focused on liver and kidney health. In this blog we will be taking a left turn and focusing on the gallbladder since the overall health …
PRIMARY FOOD, LIFESTYLE AND OUR HEALTH~HOME COOKING by: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT What if I told you that there is a secret to reducing calories, eating better and even reducing the risk of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes? Well, the secret is simple, …
Colon Hx
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Our product highlight will be something that will surprise you. It is Colon Hx! Now I bet I know what you are thinking, but Dr. Claire isn’t Colon Hx just a fiber for helping with constipation? What does it have to do with the liver or detox? Well, the answer is it is much more than “just a fiber for constipation.” Colon Hx’s blend of nutrients make it a terrific addition to any detox protocol! Let us get into it, shall we?
One of the main jobs of the liver is to detoxify any toxins in the body through phase 1 and phase 2. Once a toxin has gone through phase 1 and then phase 2, the toxins travel to the colon to exit the body via a bowel movement. If you experience constipation (have less than 1 bowel movement a day), these toxins just sit in the colon. The toxins can then absorb into the body, which is not ideal. These “recycling toxins” can increase the overall toxic burden on the body. (1) Colon Hx has four grams of fiber, shown in studies to increase stool frequency. (2) In my clinical experience it is important to drink enough water when adding fiber to your diet.
One of the first nutrients in Colon Hx is Psyllium seed husk. What is even psyllium seed husk? It is exactly what it sounds like. It comes from the seeds of a plant called Plantago Ovata. It is a soluble fiber that works as a bulk forming laxative. Studies have found that psyllium seed husk helps relieve constipation, mild diarrhea, hemorrhoids and may even help to regulate blood sugar levels. Other benefits of psyllium seed husk include helping with high cholesterol, both IBD and IBS and even helping with weight loss. (2) Psyllium seed husk can also help with detoxing since the fiber absorbs toxins and helps with their removal from the body. (3)
The next nutrient is triphala. This is a combination of three plants. Studies have found that triphala can help relieve constipation. Shown to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Studies have also found that using triphala can help with IBS symptoms. Studies have even found that it can help to heal stomach ulcers. Other additional benefits include reducing stress, being anti-inflammatory and even helping with blood sugar. (4) Studies have also found that triphala is hepatoprotective and that it protects our liver. (5)
One of the last nutrients is bentonite powder. This is where Colon Hx really shines in its ability to help with a detox protocol. One study found bentonite could bind aflatoxins and thus aid in their detox or removal from the body. (6) Other studies have found that bentonite has applications for “numerous health conditions as a detoxifying agent” in the body. (7) Bentonite clay has also been found to help treat C.Difficile infections when added to a therapeutic protocol. (8) Bentonite may even help keep the rotavirus from replicating. (9) One study found that bentonite can help to detoxify heavy metals. (10) In fact, a recent study found it helped detox both lead and cadmium. (11) Now I am sure you noticed that Colon Hx contains Iron. This is because bentonite is a natural source of iron. (12)
Finally, is Calcium D-Glucarate. According to Memorial Sloan Kettering this can help metabolize estrogens and help with their detoxification. This process is important in certain cancers. (13)
While I do not often write about quality control, it was important to do so in this blog. All Invite health products are third party evaluated to ensure they are free of any contaminants such as heavy metals. This is important because it is possible for bentonite to have heavy metals. (13) This is just one reason quality does matter. Do you remember that old saying, you get what you pay for? With vitamins this is true!
Next up we will explore the Gallbladder! What does it even do? Well, you will have to see!
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