Dodge Gut Trouble For Good

By VRP Staff

If you’ve ever been caught off guard by indigestion, gas or a nasty case of heartburn, then you probably already know that stopping gut trouble before it starts is always easier than waiting for digestive disaster to strike. Like the engine of a car that’s constantly running, neglecting your gut’s day-to-day maintenance will eventually lead to a breakdown… and the health of your entire body could suffer as a consequence.

Your digestive tract is a complex system, responsible for digesting your food and nourishing your body, while playing a vital role in your body’s immunity, too.^1-2 But optimizing your gastrointestinal health doesn’t have to be complicated business—in fact, some of the most effective solutions also happen to be some of the simplest.

Probiotics, for example, are the friendly bacterial florae that reside in your bowel and guard against harmful bacteria, parasites and other gut-damaging pathogens. Research estimates that your intestines harbor 1,000 trillion microbes consisting of approximately 15,000 different strains… so it’s easy to see how even a small decline in your body’s natural defense system can lead to serious problems for your health.³

Unfortunately, many factors can cause your gut’s bacterial balance to tip in the wrong direction—from challenged immunity to a diet rich in processed foods. That’s why daily supplementation with a comprehensive probiotic blend is so critical to your digestive and total-body health. Look to the wide range of strains, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus coagulans, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium infantis (all found in VRP’s BioPRO™), along with Lactobacillus GG (found in Culturelle®, also from VRP) for maximum protection.

In addition to probiotic products, a simple fiber supplement can make all the difference when it comes to keeping your digestive system functioning at its peak—but not just because of its well-known role in facilitating bowel movements.⁴ Increased fiber intake has also been shown to improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), reduce risk of diverticulitis, support healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels, plus block the formation of both kidney and gallstones.^5-14

Certain types of fiber can also nourish your gut’s population of the friendly, probiotic bacteria, helping to keep your whole digestive system balanced, healthy  and efficient.¹⁵ Supplements such as EZ Fiber™—available now from Vitamin Research Products—take the guesswork out of fiber intake, offering a reliable, easy and great-tasting way to meet your daily needs without puzzling over nutrition labels.

References:

1. Górska S, Jarzab A, Gamian A. [Probiotic bacteria in the human gastrointestinal tract as a factor stimulating the immune system] [Article in Polish]. Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). 2009 Dec 23;63:653-67.

2. Louis P, O’Byrne CP. Life in the gut: microbial responses to stress in the gastrointestinal tract. Sci Prog. 2010;93(Pt 1):7-36.

3. Hand T, Belkaid Y. Microbial control of regulatory and effector T cell responses in the gut. Curr Opin Immunol. 2010 Feb;22(1):63-72.

4. Mauk KL. Preventing constipation in older adults. Nursing. 2005;35:22-23.

5. Fielding JF, Melvin K. Dietary fibre and the irritable bowel syndrome. J Hum Nutr. 1979 Aug;33(4):243-7.

6. Parisi GC, Zilli M, Miani MP, Carrara M, Bottona E, Verdianelli G, Battaglia G, Desideri S, Faedo A, Marzolino C, Tonon A, Ermani M, Leandro G. High-fiber diet supplementation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a multicenter, randomized, open trial comparison between wheat bran diet and partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG). Dig Dis Sci. 2002 Aug;47(8):1697-704.

7. Frieri G, Pimpo MT, Scarpignato C. Management of colonic diverticular disease. Digestion. 2006;73 Suppl 1:58-66.

8. Stasse-Wolthuis M, Hautvast JG, Hermus RJ, Katan MB, Bausch JE, Rietberg-Brussaard JH, Velema JP, Zondervan JH, Eastwood MA, Brydon WG. The effect of a natural high-fiber diet on serum lipids, fecal lipids, and colonic function. Am J Clin Nutr. 1979 Sep;32(9):1881-8.

9. Jenkins DJ, Wolever TM, Rao AV, Hegele RA, Mitchell SJ, Ransom TP, Boctor DL, Spadafora PJ, Jenkins AL, Mehling C, et al. Effect on blood lipids of very high intakes of fiber in diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol. N Engl J Med. 1993 Jul 1;329(1):21-6.

10. Giacco R, Parillo M, Rivellese AA, et al. Long-term dietary treatment with increased amounts of fiber-rich low-glycemic index natural foods improves blood glucose control and reduces the number of hypoglycemic events in type 1 diabetic patients. Diabetes Care. 2000;23:1461-6.

11. Griffith HM, O’Shea B, Kevany JP, McCormick JS. A control study of dietary factors in renal stone formation. Br J Urol. 1981 Oct;53(5):416-20.

12. Mendez-Sanchez N, Zamora-Valdes D, Chavez-Tapia NC, Uribe M. Role of diet in cholesterol gallstone formation. Clin Chim Acta. 2007 Feb;376(1-2):1-8.

13. Cuevas A, Miquel JF, Reyes MS, Zanlungo S, Nervi F. Diet as a risk factor for cholesterol gallstone disease. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004 Jun;23(3):187-96.

14. Schwesinger WH, Kurtin WE, Page CP, Stewart RM, Johnson R.. Soluble dietary fiber protects against cholesterol gallstone formation. Am J Surg. 1999 Apr;177(4):307-10.

15. Takahashi H, Wako N, Okubo T, Ishihara N, Yamanaka J, Yamamoto T. Influence of partially hydrolyzed guar gum on constipation in women. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 1994 Jun;40(3):251-9.