What Do You Know About Probiotics

“What Do You Know About Probiotics?”

With the prefix ‘pro’ – which means ‘for’ – it would be logical to assume that probiotics are good, and they are! The word ‘biotic’ means ‘life’, so probiotics are for life. Often called the ‘friendly bacteria’, scientists believe that probiotics are as important in this century as antibiotics were in the last. And I go along with the scientists’ belief. My feeling is that probiotics are the unsung hero of wellness. Following is a list of functions performed by probiotics, both our own natural ones and high quality supplements. NOTE: Not all probiotics are created equally. I’ll address that in more detail in a subsequent blog.

There are more than 30 functions our own bacteria and the very finest supplemental probiotics perform. In the interest of brevity, I’m listing here (in alphabetical order) some of the more important health issues that probiotics can help stem:

·         Acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD by helping food digest better

·         Acne, psoriasis, and eczema by helping control causes

·         Allergy and/or food sensitivity by keeping your stomach lining healthy

·         Arthritis due to the anti-inflammatory action of probiotics

·         Asthma due to the anti-inflammatory action of probiotics

·         Bone density loss by improving absorption of minerals and making vitamin K

·         Depression by helping release good bacteria which serve as a natural antidepressant

·         Diabetes by helping preclude inflammation of the pancreas

·         Diarrhea by fighting harmful organisms causing it

·         Gum disease by reducing harmful bacteria

·         Glaucoma by helping control bacteria such as H. Pylori, a known cause of this eye disease

·         Inflammatory bowel disease and colitis by reducing inflammation and ‘leaky gut’

·         Liver disease by helping detoxify the gut, thus reducing load on liver function

·         Migraine by helping suppress H. Pylori bacteria, also a cause of cluster headaches

·         Ulcers by suppressing H. Pylori bacteria

·         Urinary tract / vaginal infections by fighting harmful organisms

So, as you can see, probiotics not only perform dozens of important functions in helping prevent disease, but they are truly essential to life…to living ‘well’, i.e., without sickness. We get some of our natural probiotics at birth, and some still come from fermented foods we might consume, but processed foods and our modern life in general actually forces us to get some probiotics via supplements. I would be happy to advise you on the most effective probiotics available to help you toward a life of wellness. Contact me through my website, and we’ll work together on getting you on a path to a healthy life.

As you can see, there is much information out there about the goodness of probiotics which I will delve more into in future editions. Check out my blog regularly for more information about probiotics and other nutritional data. For more information about NES see www.NutritionEducationServices.com.

Gluten - are you sensitive or intolerant to Gluten

Many people have a sensitivity to gluten products and have various symptoms that are not resolved with medications.  If you have stomach discomfort, digestive issues, energy problems, skin irritations, sinus issues and many others, consider staying off all gluten grains for 30 days.  Wheat, Rye, Barley are the main culprits.
Oats may be processed in a plant that process gluten grains and may be contaminated. Use organic oats to insure cleanliness in processing. More and more restaurants are producing menu items that are gluten free and there are many books with gluten free recipes.

There is a difference between gluten sensitivity and gluten intolerance.  I am gluten sensitive meaning that if I occasionally have a little bit of wheat - like a cracker, or eat the filling of a pie and not the wheat crust, and stay away from spongy breads made with gluten grains, I do well.  I save this exposure for eating out.

Others need to stay completely off gluten including hidden gluten in skin care products, snack bars (modified food starch).  

This is an enormous topic so I suggest taking it a little bit at a time.  Just realize that food is medicine and what we put in our mouth influences how we feel.  We are all individuals and respond to toxic exposure differently.
My toxins include dairy, gluten, sugar.  I work diligently to keep these food items out of my diet.

For information regarding how NES can assist you in discovering your food sensitivities contact us at www.nutried.com   or call 802-874-4429

Surviving Holiday Eating Challenges

With the holidays come parties, celebrations and food. Delicious goodies that tempt the appetite and reduce our discipline and all our promises to ourselves in a flash.
Here are a few tips I have learned over the years that help me enjoy without over-indulging.

• Have some protein before going to a party. That reduces the appetite and makes it easier to make better decisions at the party. I use either a protein bar or shake with some vitamin/mineral supplements.
• Begin with the healthy snacks, chew them slowly and thoroughly and leave the most fattening to the last. Have one of each offering. 
• Drink a glass of water before having an alcoholic beverage. Many times we drink more then planned because we are thirsty.  Cutting down on alcohol save a myriad of calories.
• Get plenty of rest. This allows our body to cleans properly the effect of which makes us less hungry. 
• Keep up moderate exercise to help the body cleanse, sleep deeper and stay healthy. 
• Take vitamin/mineral supplements to make sure you get the nutrients you need during the stress of the holidays.  Doing this will help keep you healthy.
• Keep in mind the holidays are about family, friends and fellowship.  Make that the center of your focus, not food. Keeping in conversation with loved ones away from the food table always helps. 

Stay healthy and safe and may the holidays bring you joy and peace. 

Liz Harrison, NES

Click here to learn more about Nutrition Education Services. 

Preparing for and recovering from surgery with nutrition.

It is truly amazing what medical science can do these day.  November 23rd I had the minimal invasive anterior approach total hip replacement surgery. Surgery was on a Wednesday and I was home Friday. On Sunday I fully dressed myself and am using only one crutch to get around the house.  Giving the body the nutrients it needs to heal is very important. A high protein diet, a high fiber diet, with supplemental Calcium and vitamin D3, plenty of fluids are essential.

• First thing in the morning I have a Nutrilite Protein shake (25 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber and 6 grams of carbohydrate. 170 calories.)  Chocolate fudge is my favorite. 
• With that I take Nutrilite: Double X multi-vitamin/mineral organic food concentrate, Balanced Health essential fatty acids,  vitamin D3 with K2, calcium/magnesium with D, time release vitamin C and a few others specifically for my body chemistry

I am consuming 25 grams of fiber daily.  That comes through vegetables and whole fruit. The bodyneeds a minimum of 50-60 grams of protein to have the building tools for repair.
It is vitally important to get plenty of rest and take any prescribed meds your doctor ordered. 

Having been told 40+ years ago I would be in a wheelchair by my mid thirties and now I am just having to replace the rheumatoid / osteo arthritic affected parts of my body, I am very blessed.
I can maintain a lifestyle of skiing, golf, gardening, travel and having a good time.  Eating according to my bloodtype, staying off inflammatory foods, exercising properly all influence the outcome.  At 70-80 percent compliance over the years, I cannot say enough about the results.  Quality nutrition and lifestyle really work for longevity of health.

For more information on my history go to www.NutriEd.com

Weight Control

There are many weight loss programs on the market and many work 40-60% of the time for a limited group of people. Everyone is an individual and no program works universally for everyone. Individual differences include blood type, activity level, chewing habits, sleep patterns, stress levels, inflammatory food sensitivities and much more.

At Nutrition Education Services (NES) we design a program taking all the issues of your body chemistry into account. We individualized your program. Balancing your body chemistry automatically brings your body weight into optimal health. Let us help you with your individual situation. It costs less in the long run and you will feel better faster. Our goal is to help you feel and look your best naturally.

For more information click here.

ADD and ADHD

Many children and adults find themselves diagnosed with this disorder. It seems at times to be almost epidemic. In working with children and adults for over 30 years I have found that this kind of spectrum disorder responds well to plain old nutrition.

Try a protein shake with essential fatty acids and a multivitamin/mineral product with phyto-factors. Taken at breakfast and mid afternoon, the body and brain have the tools to help the person relax, think and sleep better.

The feed back I get from parents/teachers is that good nutrition with a cleansing is very helpful.
Remove food coloring and flavorings and other preservative chemicals, refined carbohydrates, - basically anything white.

A diet high in protein, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, rotated regularly and chewed

throughly, goes a long way in reducing/eliminating the symptoms of ADD and ADHD. Everyone suffering from these conditions will benefit from these guidelines.

Adult Recipe: Take one shake in the am and one in the afternoon.

(For Children age 6 and above, cut recipe in half.)

1 scoop of 8-10 grams of protein powder, any flavor, with no sugar added.

1 teaspoon of cod liver oil

1 banana to bind it all

Add your favorite fruit and juice with pulp and ice and blend.

(Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of powdered multivitamin/mineral complex according to

directions for children/adult doses. The drink may be used to take

vitamin/mineral tablets appropriate for the age instead of powdered supplements. )

Stay off Dairy, Gluten and all refined foods. See how you feel.

Gluten foods are wheat, oats, barley, rye and oats (if the oats are processed in a multi grain factory).

Eat according to your blood type.

Rotate the diet. Eat different foods for three days in a row then repeat as desired.

These guide lines will assist the body in nourishing nutrient deficient pathways.

For more information and help click here.

Autistic Spectrum Disorders

There are many opinions and therapies to assist children with any level of symptoms of Autism. From a nutrition standpoint, we recommend that the health of the gut be addressed and the health of the immune system be addressed.

• Probiotics to cleanse and heal the gut are essential and may include the use of Glutathione.
• Essential Fatty Acids to strengthen the cell walls, support the immune system.
• Zinc glycinate to assist with cell wall health and organ health
• Multivitamin/mineral complex with phyto-factors to insure the tools for healing
• D3 a vital player in the total brain, immune and over-all health picture

All these nutrients assist the body including the brain in healing and working better.

A diet that eliminates all refined carbohydrates, simple sugars and any chemicals such as food coloring, flavorings, BHA, BHT, Nitrates and Nitrites, and sulfates. Sufficient protein is essential as well as a well balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetable.

Rotating the diet, chewing food throughly, helps get a wider variety of nutrients into the body and chewing helps the nutrients get to the cellular level and be used properly.

All these need areas and more to be addressed. This is just a start but a very important start.

For more information about NES click here.