Did you know optimal digestive health can support optimal immune health?

Optimal digestion is important to ensure we are breaking down and utilizing our nutrients properly but the digestive tract also plays a crucial role in immunity. While lifestyle factors are important, the health of our immune system could also be based on the health of the gut. The human body contains trillions of tiny microscopic bacteria that are an essential part of our immune system. In fact, the gastrointestinal tract is home to the largest concentration and highest diversity of bacteria in the body. The GI tract also contains the greatest amount of lymphoid tissue in the body, and it’s this lymphoid tissue that is responsible for synchronizing the defense strategies between the innate and adaptive immune systems. [1] Understanding this helps us to appreciate why good gut health is paramount for good immune health.

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 at any age. 

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[2]. 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 warm or cool drinks such as infant formula, water, juice, milk, and/or soft foods such as apple sauce. It can also be made into a paste and applied to the nipple during breastfeeding.

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 and intestinal and gastrointestinal health. Offered in a convenient, fruit punch flavored 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, 10 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 contained in a blister pack that is 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 Lactobacillus and 50 billion Bifidobacterium cultures.

With 70% of your immune system in your digestive tract, make sure yours is up for any virus or immune threat that may need some support.

[1] California Institute of Technology. (2013). A home for the microbiome: Biologists identify how beneficial bacteria reside and thrive in gastrointestinal tract. Available: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130819171824.htm. Last accessed 6 Mar 20.
[2] Source: * 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: Renew Life Team

Our team of Digestive Care experts is committed to empowering Canadians to achieve optimal health every day. Since 2002, the Renew Life Team has been dedicated to educating the public about digestive health, cleansing, nutrition, and well-being. As leaders in the natural health field, we go the extra mile to ensure we are delivering valuable resources and helpful information to inspire better health and well-being for your entire family. Learn more at renewlife.ca.