Vigour – Health and Sports Nutrition

Probiotics are a type of living bacteria that confer a health benefit on their consumers when taken in the appropriate amounts. They live in the human gastrointestinal tract and act as a balancing agent for harmful gut-bacteria such as Candida albicans and E. coli. A low population of probiotics in your intestine may give rise to a number of bacteria-related health problems such as stomach bloating, indigestion, candidiasis, lactose intolerance, headaches, irritability, anxiety and even colon cancer. The most common forms of intestinal probiotics include Bifidobacteria bifidum and L. acidophilus.

Probiotics aid gastrointestinal health in the human body and facilitate the digestion of food. They enhance immune system response and reduce lactose intolerance. A healthy population of probiotics in the gut helps reduce risk of vaginitis, candidiasis, and yeast infections and reduces negative effects of antibiotic medications. Moreover, they help reduce the symptoms of many digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhoea and bloated stomach. Another health benefit of probiotics is that they promote synthesis of vitamin B-12 and absorption of calcium in the gut. Last but not the least; probiotics help minimise the risk of tumours in the gastrointestinal tract.

An unhealthy lifestyle, acidic diets, stress and depression may destroy the natural amounts of probiotics in your gut. Therefore, make sure that you use a probiotic supplement on a regular basis. Natures Aid Probiotic Complex providing L.Acidophillus and Bifidus with 100m is a popular brand on the market that provides “friendly” bacteria which may help to maintain a healthy balance in the gut, especially when travelling abroad and after taking antibiotics. It also contains prebiotic “FOS” which feeds the friendly bacteria in the gut.

Fibre has a beneficial effect on the bowel movement and on an overall health of the gastrointestinal tract. People who take sufficient amounts of fibre experience frequent and bulky stools. Not only does fibre speed up the movement of the stools through the colon, but it also helps prevent certain diseases such as constipation, diarrhoea, stomach bloating, and colon cancer.

Dietary fibre contains non-digestible carbohydrates such as plant non-starch polysaccharides, pectin, cellulose, hemicelluloses, gums, lignin, oligosaccharides, and fibres present in cereals such as wheat, barley and oat. Fibre can be classified into two categories: 1) Soluble Fibre 2) Insoluble Fibre.

Soluble fibre dissolves quickly in water to form a sticky, gel-like substance. The rich dietary sources of soluble fibre include vegetables, oat, barley, soybeans, beans, peas, bananas, apples, cherries and berries. Insoluble fibre, on the other hand, does not dissolve in water. Rich sources of insoluble fibre are wheat bran, seeds, nuts and skin of some vegetables and fruits.

If you find it difficult to consume fibre-rich diets due to your hectic and busy lifestyle, then make sure that you regularly use a dietary supplement that contains fibre in its formulation. PhD Diet Whey Protein Powder is a popular brand on the market that contains 0.75 G of dietary fibre per 25 G of this supplement. PhD Diet is a multitude of potential ingredients such as protein, fibre, carbohydrate, flax oil and L-Carnitine which may assist with the building of fat-free muscles. Moreover, this supplement also ensures energy flow during the day.

According to a recent research, high levels of HDL or “Good Cholesterol” may cut colon cancer risk. The study compared 1,000 people with colon cancer to 1,000 healthy people. The investigators reviewed the dietary-lifestyle questionnaires and results of blood samples provided by participants. Researchers found that those with highest levels of blood fat called apolipoprotein and cholesterol had the least chance of developing colorectal cancer especially colon cancer.

Although best recommendations to reduce the risk of colon cancer include less consumption of processed and red meats, get rid of abdominal fatness and obesity, increased physical activity, less intake of alcohol and quit smoking, yet people with high levels of HDL are less vulnerable to the risk of colon cancer.

Therefore, people with low levels of Good Cholesterol should change their lifestyle to reduce the risk of colon cancer. They should avoid eating fatty foods and prefer cooking foods in vegetable oils instead of animal oils. Moreover, a regular exercise routine makes an excellent way for them to both reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems and improve HDL levels.

Moreover, they should also use a dietary supplement that helps elevate levels of HDL and lowers the levels of LDL or Bad Cholesterol. Vitabiotics Cardioace Healthy Heart & Circulation combines the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids with antioxidants, garlic and important trace minerals. Not only does it maintain healthy cholesterol levels in the blood, but it also maintains the elasticity of blood vessels.

It includes Omega-3 fish oil that makes a rich source of EPA and DHA. Omega 3 fatty acids play a vital role in maintaining normal cholesterol, triglyceride levels and blood pressure. Moreover, garlic helps balance good cholesterol or HDL by regulating cholesterol production by the liver.

Herbs can play an important role in preventing you from numerous diseases such as heart problems, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes and even cancer. In fact, they contain natural ingredients which do have anti-diabetic and anti-cancerous properties. A lot of research on herbs is still in progress to find out what other benefits they have to offer to improve or maintain one’s health.

For example, garlic is a very important herb which can help you maintain a good health. A recent study has shown that a high intake of cooked or raw garlic is associated with a 45% lower risk of stomach cancer, 25% lower risk of breast cancer, and 30% lower risk of colorectal cancer. Therefore, people who do not incorporate garlic rich diets into their dietary routine on a regular basis are more susceptible to cancer than those who do. Moreover, garlic also helps maintain a healthy heart and blood circulation.

As an alternative to garlic rich diets, you can also use a supplement which contains garlic in its formulation. For example, Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil Plus Garlic is a unique mixture of vitamins A, D, E with pure cod liver oil omega-3 plus garlic. Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant which kills harmful free radicals within your body. Free radicals have negative effects on the health of cells and they may trigger cancer at any stage of your life. Garlic helps prevent different forms of cancer including colon cancer, breast cancer and stomach cancer. Similarly, omega-3 oil helps maintain normal cholesterol levels and a healthy heart.

If you have a family history of cancer especially breast cancer, lungs cancer, prostrate cancer or colon cancer, then make sure that you incorporate those diets in your daily dietary routine which are high in vitamin C. Foods like citrus, kiwi fruit, strawberry, guava, pomegranate, lemon and yogurt make a good source of vitamin C and they should be consumed on a regular basis.

Not only does vitamin C block the formation of cancer causing chemicals or nitrosamines within your body, but it also provides protection against heart diseases. Vitamin C helps destroy harmful free radicals in the blood and enhance the cellular immunity by promoting the fighting ability of white blood cells. Moreover, it helps promote healthy teeth and gums and protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation.

If you are unable to consume vitamin C rich diets due to your hectic lifestyle, then make sure that you use a multivitamin supplement such as Seven Seas Multibionta Probiotic Multivitamins on a daily basis. It makes a complete multivitamin supplement with minerals and probiotics. Not only does it contain vitamin C 60 mg per capsule, but also contains probiotics which help support healthy immune and digestive systems to help you cope with stressful days.

Other ingredients include vitamins A, D ,E, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Biotin, Pantothenic acid, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, Iodine, Chromium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Chloride, Selenium, Potassium and Tribon Harmonis Probiotic Cultures. Another advantage of Seven Seas Multibionta Probiotic Multivitamin is that it is free from artificial colours, artificial sweetener, artificial flavours, artificial preservatives, lactose, yeast, soya, tree nut, peanut, gluten, gelatin and vegetarian suitable.