2017 has been the year of the microbiome. To the uninitiated, the term describes the ecosystem of the human gut, a community populated by trillions of bacteria – some good, some bad. This year we have heard more than ever before about ‘gut health’ and the importance of bacterial balance to our state of wellbeing.
Thanks in no small part to articles, podcasts, books and even TV shows (the BBC’s Trust Me, I’m a Doctor), supermarkets and health stores are rife with probiotic foods, drinks and supplements. Each year Brits spend three-quarters of a billion pounds on them, and the number is on the rise. If you find yourself raising an eyebrow at all of this, noting sadly how the gut health gravy train has passed you by, read on to learn how nourishing beneficial bacteria could work wonders for your health.
What Are Probiotics, and Who Are They For?
Probiotics are living microorganisms which, if taken in appropriate quantities, can confer health benefits on the host. They do so by restoring the natural balance of bacteria in the gut, often after it has been damaged by an illness or treatment. For example, antibiotics are known to wipe out the good – as well as the bad – bacteria in the stomach; this in turn necessitates a probiotic protocol to repopulate the beneficial microbes after the antibiotic course is complete.
Live probiotic bacteria are not just for ill people, though. There is a growing sense that they can help all of us attain higher levels of wellbeing and performance. From improving digestion and nutrient absorption to enhancing mood, optimising immunity and creating the conditions for a better night’s sleep.
You are probably familiar with the expression ‘good health begins in the gut’. But only after decades of research are we understanding this to be true. 80% of our immune system resides in the gut, and that’s not all: an estimated 80 to 90% of your body’s serotonin is manufactured by gut nerve cells. Indeed, neurons in the gut are so numerous that scientists now regularly refer to it as ‘the second brain’. The gut-brain connection has been the topic of several several best-selling books, including Brain Maker by top American neurologist David Perlmutter, MD.
The positive impact of probiotics on psychological and physical stress suggests benefits for sportspeople and creatives, as well as for students, those working high-pressure jobs and individuals wishing to live life without gut dysfunction and its knock-on implications for health.
Given that our resident bacteria play a dominant role in our physical and emotional wellbeing, stimulating these microbes seems like an irrefutably good way of nurturing the whole body system. Particularly when you consider that gut flora is under frequent attack from processed foods, stress, antibiotics (in both medicine and, unfortunately, food) and excessive hygiene habits.
Progurt – Go With Your Gut Feeling
One probiotic supplement stands head and shoulders above the others, in that it contains a volume of good bacteria which far exceeds its rivals’. It is called Progurt and it is the creation of the International Probiotics Institute based in Sydney, Australia.
While most probiotic supplements contain just a few billion Colony-Forming Units, or even 10 or 20, Progurt contains as massive 1 trillion. It’s believed that such a high volume of good bacteria is required to exert maximal effects. Progurt is available in sachet form – all you have to do is disperse in water and drink. You can also mix Progurt with UHT milk in the special Progurt Yogurt Incubator to make your very own DIY probiotic yogurt.
Is potency the only distinctive characteristic of Progurt? As it happens, no. The probiotics are unique because they contain multiple human derived isolates. Bacteria, in other words, that is indigenous and intuitive to the human gastrointestinal tract. The composition of the probiotic strains in Progurt means they’re much more likely to colonise than those which are bovine-isolated from a cow, found in nearly every conventional yogurt and supplement.
These factors make Progurt the premium choice of probiotic for those seeking to positively influence the health of their microbiome. No surprise, therefore, that it’s also costly. Indeed, Progurt is the most expensive probiotic in the world, with a 15-pack retailing for £227.25. But then as readers of this site will appreciate, if you want the best, you generally have to pay for it.
Do Probiotics Always Work?
Probiotics are a complex business: there are many, many strains, and not all of them have undergone the same rigorous testing. Thus it is maddening to hear some claim that “probiotics don’t work.” Just as one size does not fit all, one probiotic does not remedy all ills. The primary bacteria residing in the small intestine are from the Lactobacillus species, the kind responsible for producing lactase, the enzyme needed to break down sugar in milk. Lactobacillus bacteria also collectively ferment carbohydrates in the gut to produce lactic acid, which works to keep the digestive tract acidic.
Of all the Lactobacillus strains in existence, the most well-researched is Lactobacillus Acidophilus. This bacterium performs many vital functions, maintaining the integrity of the intestinal wall, assuring proper nutrient absorption and also helping to alleviate digestive discomfort. Lactobacillus Acidophilus is the cornerstone of Progurt, which also contains Lactobacillus Bifidus and S. Thermophilus. Three proven species with a wealth of scientific data behind them.
As well as its one-trillion probiotic, the International Probiotics Institute have created a line of health products designed to foster better conditions in the gut. Following years of research and development, the team at Progurt realised that conditions in the gut must be correct in order for good bacteria to proliferate. These conditions are affected by a multitude of factors including pH, mineral content, temperature, blood flow and oxygen flow. If you do not feel the beneficial effects of Progurt within a few days, it could be the case that your microbiome is compromised and needs targeted support.
The ancillary Progurt products are designed to foster better conditions in the gastrointestinal tract, creating an environment conducive to the introduction of probiotics. They include a Prebiotic, which acts as ‘food’ for the probiotics; a concentrated mineral formula called Chloride; and Deep Ocean Alkaline pH Salt Capsules. Combinations of these supplemental products are also available as part of Progurt’s GutSmart packages, which include GutSmart Pro, GutSmart Light and GutSmart Family. The ‘Light’ edition is particularly handy to take with you on your travels. As most of us know only too well, international air travel can play havoc with our digestion and immunity. It’s good to have a gut boost on hand.
A Healthier Gut for a Healthier You
Your body deserves care and attention, but not just on the outside – on the inside, too. That means eating nutritious food, staying properly hydrated and ensuring your organs are functioning healthily. Harmonising the balance of bacteria in your gut is not only a great way of protecting that ecosystem but also improving your levels of wellbeing and performance generally.
Progurt is a health-enhancing, life-changing formula, by far the most powerful probiotic supplement on the market today. Nurture your healthy microbes and embrace a healthier you, with mind, body and spirit in perfect alignment.
