Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine stated that, “All disease begins in the gut”. While this may not be 100% true, good digestive health is essential for nutrient absorption[1], immune function[2], and chemical and hormone production.[3] The gastrointestinal system, also referred to as the gastrointestinal tract, digestive system, digestive tract, or gut, is a group of organs that includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, colon, and rectum.[4]

The human body contains trillions of tiny microscopic bacteria and the gastrointestinal tract is home to the largest concentration and highest diversity of bacteria in the body. While some bacteria are associated with disease, others are extremely important for your health. Microbes are essential for maintaining health in many ways. They produce vitamins that we do not have the genes to make, help break down our food to extract nutrients[5], they teach our immune systems how to distinguish dangerous invaders from harmless compounds and produce helpful anti-inflammatory compounds that fight off disease-causing microbes.[6]

To keep your gut in tip top shape, feed it well with prebiotic and probiotic foods and take a multi-strain probiotic. More than 1,000 strains of bacteria can be found in the human gut so choosing a probiotic supplement that has some strain diversity in the formula is important, but culture count is too. Culture count refers to the overall number of bacteria in each serving. A potent probiotic formula contains multiple strains of bacteria and has billions of live cultures per serving to help you get more of the friendly microbes to support a healthy, happy gut.

For the Little Ones

Renew Life^® FloraBABY is a clinically studied multi-strain probiotic blend specifically formulated for newborn infants and can be taken from birth[7]. It is currently being used in over 60 neonatal intensive care units across Canada. FloraBABY is formulated with 2 billion active cultures and 5 clinically-studied probiotic strains to help support intestinal and gastrointestinal health in infants and children. It is a flavourless powder that can easily be mixed into cool or warm water, juice, milk, or other liquid immediately before use.

Renew Life^® Kids Daily Boost Probiotic is formulated with 10 billion active cultures and 2 clinically-studied probiotic strains to support kids’ digestive and respiratory systems. Taken daily, this innovative probiotic supplement helps support respiratory-tract, intestinal, and gastrointestinal health. Offered in a convenient, fruit punch flavoured fast-melting powder, it’s a format that’s fun for kids to take.

For Women

Ultimate Flora^® VS for Women is a 50 billion active culture, 9 strain formula that supports women’s gut and overall health in a convenient once a day capsule. It is a predominantly Lactobacilli formula that not only mimics the prevalence of bacteria found in a healthy vagina and urinary tract, but also assists in restoring digestive harmony, helping you feel lighter, brighter and more energized.

There is also a shelf stable formula for convenience. Ultimate Flora^® Women’s Daily Care is a shelf-stable, 25 billion active culture, 10 strain formula that is dairy and soy free.

For Everyone

Renew Life^® Ultimate Flora^® Critical Care is a 50 billion active culture, 10 strain formula in a convenient, once a day capsule. It contains a combination of 20 billion Lactobacillus and 30 billion Bifidobacterium cultures for a balanced gut.

If you like the convenience of a shelf stable formula, there is Ultimate Flora^® Critical Care shelf-stable which is a 50 billion active culture, 12 strain, dairy and soy free formula perfect for on the go use.

For Seniors

As we age, the populations of good bacteria can start to decline, especially Bifidobacteria which live in the colon.  Ultimate Flora^® Colon Care is a potent daily multi-strain probiotic blend that provides 80 billion live bacterial cultures in a convenient once a day capsule. It contains 10 strains of live bacteria, with a combination of 32 Lactobacillus and 48 billion Bifidobacterium cultures to support intestinal and gastrointestinal health.

While You’re on Antibiotics

Should you take probiotics while on antibiotics? The answer is yes, but at least 3 hours away from each other. Think of probiotics as planting good seeds as you are pulling bad weeds. Ultimate Flora^® Ultra-Potent is Renew Life’s^® strongest daily multi-strain probiotic blend that provides 100 billion live bacterial cultures in a convenient once a day capsule. It contains 10 different strains of live bacteria, with a combination of 50 billion Lactobacillus and 50 billion Bifidobacterium cultures.

References:
[1] Krajmalnik-Brown R, Ilhan ZE, Kang DW, DiBaise JK. Effects of gut microbes on nutrient absorption and energy regulation. Nutr Clin Pract. 2012;27(2):201-214. doi:10.1177/0884533611436116
[2] Wu HJ, Wu E. The role of gut microbiota in immune homeostasis and autoimmunity. Gut Microbes. 2012;3(1):4-14. doi:10.4161/gmic.19320
[3] Galland L. The gut microbiome and the brain. J Med Food. 2014;17(12):1261-1272. doi:10.1089/jmf.2014.7000
[4] NYU Langone Medical Center STaff. Your Gut Feeling: A Healthier Digestive System Means a Healthier You. Available: https://med.nyu.edu/medicine/gastro/print/207. Last accessed 5 Oct 20.
[5] Canadian Society of Intestinal Research Staff. (2018). Food & Microbes: A Lifetime Commitment. Available: https://badgut.org/information-centre/a-z-digestive-topics/food-and-microbes/. Last accessed 26 Sept 20.
[6] Belkaid, Y., & Hand, T. W. (2014). Role of the microbiota in immunity and inflammation. Cell, 157(1), 121–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2014.03.011
[7] Janvier A, J Malo, Barrington KJ. Cohort study of probiotics in a North American neonatal intensive care unit. The Journal of pediatrics 164.5 (2014): 980-985.

About the Author: Caroline Farquhar R.H.N., E.M.P., B.A.

Specializing in digestive care and cleansing, Caroline has been educating audiences through seminars, TV and radio appearances across the country on the topic of how to achieve better health naturally. Caroline has written and published articles for magazines and websites, has created educational programs and taught at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. Learn more about Caroline at renewlife.ca.