Probiotics, Your Gut's Friends

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are a type of "friendly" bacteria in our gut. Research has found that having the right gut bacteria is linked to numerous health benefits, including weight loss, improved digestion, enhanced immune function, healthier skin, and a reduced risk of many diseases

Why take probiotic supplements?

Probiotics are living microorganisms that, when ingested, provide numerous health benefits
Many people take probiotic supplements to ensure their gut has the necessary "friendly" bacteria as they do not eat enough of the foods that are known to have probiotic benefits (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, and kimchi)

Probiotics might help fight disease.

Since the mid-1990s, clinical studies suggest that probiotic therapy can help treat several gastrointestinal ills (such as IBS, irritable bowel syndrome), delay the development of allergies in children, and treat and prevent vaginal and urinary infections in women.

Research has been promising for the friendly bacteria. Potential benefits of probiotics have been seen in the treatment or prevention of:

• diarrhea
• irritable bowel syndrome
• ulcerative colitis
• Crohn's disease
• H. pylori (the cause of ulcers)
• vaginal infections
• urinary tract infections
• recurrence of bladder cancer
• infection of the digestive tract caused by Clostridium difficile
• pouchitis (a possible side effect of surgery that removes the colon)
• eczema in children.

What is the difference between all the probiotics I can purchase?

Dozens of different probiotic bacteria offer health benefits. For example, one strain may fight against cavity-causing organisms in our mouths and don't need to survive a trip through our guts. Health benefits are strain-specific, and not all strains are necessarily useful, so you may want to consult a practitioner familiar with probiotics to discuss your options.

The most common groups include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Each group comprises different species, and each species has many strains. Some supplements — known as broad-spectrum probiotics or multi-probiotics — combine different species in the same product.

Yakult 

Yakult uses Lactobacillus casei Shirota, a strain that has been unique to Yakult for over 80 years. The probiotic drink has a citrus taste and can be enjoyed chilled. I enjoy drinking Yakult and using it in smoothies ... and smoothie bowls (add one Yakult to my Smoothie Bowl Formula ... A Breakfast Staple Recipe).

Read more at:
HealthLine 
Health Benefits of Taking Probiotics

Carpe Diem: Active Aging with Your Tribe

CARPE DIEM! Make the most of each day. 

Strive to be your best self by getting proper nutrition, sleep, and activity. If we can seize each day, we have a chance to age gracefully. Some people are intrinsically motivated and can push themselves to be the best they can be. Many people are extrinsically motivated and need a community to push them to achieve.

To seize the day, we need to invite others into our tribe. A community allows us to become exposed to new ideas and to share our individual and shared experiences.

Build Community ... Find Your Tribe

Aging well is fostered by a community. The world's oldest living people have come from communities that prioritize spending time with family and friends.

Surround yourself with people who have similar interests. Find your tribe and thrive in the energy of the community. Community building provides conversation, a workout partner, and inspiration to try new things.

The Tribe That Gets Fit Together Ages Gracefully Together

The American Council for Exercise, ACE, suggests adults engage in moderate intensity physical activity for at least 150 minutes each week. Many people do not get that amount unless they have an active hobby. Find a tribe that likes to be active doing activities such as: walk, hike, ride bikes, and practice yoga. Studies show that being physically active 2.5 hours per week adds 5 years to your life. Schedule time to be active and add years to your life!

Embrace Nature

People who enjoy spending time in nature have better mental health and a lower risk of dying from cancer and other chronic diseases. According to a July 2018 article in Science Daily, "exposure to greenspace reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, stress, and high blood pressure." The author states, "Populations with higher levels of greenspace exposure are also more likely to report good overall health -- according to global data involving more than 290 million people." If you live in a city and can spend leisure time or vacations in greenspace it would be beneficial. 

Young people participate in may outdoor physical activities from impromptu games organized with friends to sporting events in which they are competing. As we age we spend more and more time inside working, taking care of the home, and driving to and from our events and our children's events. As adults, we need to harness our inner child and find a way to get outside when we can. The neighborhood in which we live and work may be filled withe concrete, our family schedules might make this a challenge, but we need to find some way to FIND THE GREEN. Celebrate the moments you can get into nature for physical activity.

 My husband and I like to find outdoor activities when we are on vacation.

Read more at Delicious Living How to age well in the game of life

Coconut Oil is a MUST-HAVE product for your home!

Coconut Oil is a MUST-HAVE product for your home!

Why use Coconut Oil?

It is easy to digest and is NOT stored as fat.
It provides you with FAST energy and is full of medium chain fatty acids
It provides benefits to your heart, brain, eyes, skin, and joints 
It is free from gluten and animal products

Coconut Oil Has Uses Outside the Kitchen

Yes, coconut oil is great to use in the kitchen but it also can be used for NATURAL BEAUTY.
1 TBSP contains 640 mg of the antifungal caprylic acid
1 TBSP contains 550 mg of capric acid to support healthy inflammation response

Coconut Oil for Natural Beauty

Coconut Oil is rich in fatty acids to nourish skin, hair, and nails
Coconut Oil can be used to make:

• LIP BALM (Link to a DYI Lip Balm on Bustle that I have used and like)
• SHAVE CREAM
• LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER (DYI Recipe from Bustle)
• SKIN MOISTURIZER

Coconut Oil can also be used to:

• REMOVE EYE MAKEUP
• RESTORE DRY SCALP
• PREVENT NAIL BREAKAGE

Purchase Products Made with Coconut Oil

I enjoy using Fractionated Coconut Oil as a carrier for essential oils to reduce the rate at which the essential oil evaporates. 




Read More at Delicious Living Coconut for Health

Understanding CBD Oil

Many products are entering the marketplace containing CBD oil. In order to know what I am getting when I purchase products with the supplement, I did some research.

What is CBD Oil?

 Marijuana and hemp are derived from different parts of the cannabis plant.  Cannabis that is grown for industrial use is what has been legalized in a handful of states and, most recently, in Canada. This plant contains less than .3% THC and is used for supplements, oils, clothing fibers, paper, and more.

CBD oil is also known as hemp oil. It is extracted from the hemp portion of the cannabis plant. CBD offers health benefits, but includes none of the psychoactive properties of THC, thus products containing hemp/CBD extract can be legally sold, used and shipped nationwide.

Why Use CBD Oil?

Cannabis products work on the body’s innate endocannabinoid system, a recently discovered whole-body system, similar to your nervous system or cardiovascular system. Cannabinoids don’t just come from the cannabis plant, we also make them in our bodies. The ones we make are called endocannabinoids (endo meaning coming from within). The well-known “runner’s high” is actually an endocannabinoid, which increases in the blood during aerobic exercise and then crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain. One of the primary jobs of the endocannabinoid system is to keep the body in balance, a state known as homeostasis. The ES has a profound effect on sleep, appetite, exercise, pain, inflammation, female reproduction, metabolism, anxiety, and immunity.

The cannabis related products unlock the body without providing a high like THC does. The FDA has begun to approve pharmaceutical-grade CBD for medicinal purposes as it has been proven to be an anti-inflammatory, aid sleep, reduce anxiety, ease chronic pain, reduce nausea from chemotherapy, and more.

What CBD Oil Products Should I Purchase?

CBD Isolate is similar to the drug the FDA is about to approve.

Full Spectrum CBD Oil is an industrial, hemp-derived oil that is found in mainstream, over-the-counter products.

Are There Any Precautions I Should Take?

Because of the legally murky nature of marijuana, the FDA has not stepped in to regulate products like CBD oil. States are struggling to put regulations in place, but they don't have the deep pockets of the federal government.  According to WebMD, a 2017 study led by Bonn-Miller found that nearly 7 of 10 CBD products didn't contain the amount of marijuana extract promised on the label.
Nearly 43 percent of the products contained too little CBD, while about 26 percent contained too much, Bonn-Miller said.

Studies on CBD also have raised concerns about possible interactions with other drugs. There is also concern about long term use and organ damage. There also is some indication that CBD might harm the liver. About 10 percent of people taking CBD in studies had increases in liver enzymes, which would indicate possible liver damage.

What is the Bottom Line?

CBD oil is new to the market and we will know more after more and more people use the product. Consult a doctor who knows your medical history and has read up on CBD Oil to advise you what might be best for YOUR body. 

More information can be found at WebMD , Better Nutrition, and  Delicious Living Magazine