The holidays can deplete beneficial gut bacteria that can affect skin’s clarity and vitality, energy levels, mood, immune system and the digestive system. Look after your gut health this holidays, and it will take good care of you.
Here are 3 ways to nurture those good-guy gut bugs and get you through the holidays in one piece.
DAILY PRE & PROBIOTICS
Probiotics are known as the “good” type of bacteria, keeping the body’s digestive system healthy by controlling the growth of harmful bacteria. For good bacteria to survive in the body’s bowel, prebiotic foods act almost like a fertiliser for the good bacteria. Prebiotic foods, like guar gum, are non-digestible food fibres which when consumed, ferment and produce acids in the lower gut, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the large intestine.
Good bacteria in the gut is important, as 70% of the body’s serotonin actually resides in the gut, and not the brain as previously thought. Serotonin, also known as the happiness molecule, has a strong influence on the body’s mood, with extremely low serotonin levels resulting in starch cravings, low self-esteem, aggressive behaviour and depression.
WelleCo NOURISHING PLANT PROTEIN contains both probiotics and prebiotics to support the entire digestive system from top to bottom. Probiotics are proven to treat, prevent or even cure anything from depression to irritable bowel syndrome and colic. Good health starts with a healthy digestive tract, a large part of the immune system is located around the bowel and probiotics are important for the regulation of immunity, helping to prevent coughs, colds and infections.
EAT WELLE
Think holiday fare and the sky’s the limit. Suddenly those morning smoothies and salad lunches are replaced with a wide variety of food types, often consumed in excess and together. “I always use good clean science when I treat a client, but always listen to what they say about their digestion too, so that each meal is balanced and works for them as an individual,” says Dr Simone Laubscher pHd. “Food types like fruit and meat don't digest very well together. For example, melon takes only around 30 minutes to digest and prosciutto can take a few hours. This means the fruit ferments in your gut due to the pork. Taking 2 teaspoons of the SUPER ELIXIR each day will hoover up all the acidic effects of holiday eating. Because life is about balance, your super greens also help your body to properly digest the pro and prebiotics and digestive enzymes that will help you digest this meal.”
WATER
“It sounds obvious, but water is essential for brain health, overall wellness and great skin. This is because our bodies are made up of trillions of tiny cells which all need to be hydrated,” says WelleCo co-founder Elle Macpherson. “Drinking two to three litres of water a day (everyone is different apparently in how much they need) can impact our skin looks and how our body functions. I drink about 3 litres of water a day - sipped all day.”
Dr Laubscher agrees. “In treating thousands of patients over the past 20 years, I have found that around 90 percent of people are chronically dehydrated, and this is having a massive impact on their quality of life. Physical signs you are not drinking enough water include headaches, muscle cramps, dry mouth, feeling hungry or fatigued, and sugar cravings – all good reasons to ramp up your water intake! Drinking water can feel boring and at the beginning you may need to pee a lot till the tone in your bladder improves. Most people give up after the first week for they presume this is now their lives will be with so many trips to the bathroom, but this is will subside! So like creating all new habits, stick with it for 3 weeks, your bladder will get stronger and you will also develop a thirst again, making it really easy to maintain this great habit. A great way to fast track your hydration is to hold water in your mouth for 30-60 seconds before you swallow.”
