“People who think that feelings come from the heart are wrong. The gut is where you feel the loss of a loved one first. It's where you feel pain and a heavy bulk of your emotions. It's the central base of your entire immune system. If your gut is loaded with negative bacteria, it affects your mind. Your heart is the seat of your conscience. If your mind is corrupted, it affects your conscience.” ~ Suzy Kassem
Be careful not to be so attached to your opinions that you aren’t open to hearing other perspectives… Gut health is a critical aspect of our overall well being, but it can be difficult to understand. It all starts with the microbiome, which is made up of billions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The microbiome is a core component of our digestive health, and a healthy gut has a positive ripple effect. Gut health can improve our moods, our immune system, and our weight goals.
Gut Health: What is Your Microbiome?
So how do we get a healthy gut and build a healthy microbiome… and obtain the benefits that come with it? It comes down to prebiotics and probiotics. Here’s what you need to know about each.
Probiotics:
Probiotics are bacteria consumed, either via food or supplements, that support gut health. Foods like yogurt, kimchi, and tempeh are all great sources of probiotics. The benefits include a reduced risk of depression, anxiety, stress, and a healthier aging process.
Prebiotics:
Prebiotics are fiber sources that create bioactive compounds. Benefits include a reduced risk of obesity and increased immunity. Prebiotics can be found in foods like quinoa and leeks.
Remember a person’s health, nutrition, movement, environment, relationships, emotional health, and personal development are all connected and influence one another, which is why they need to be balanced. We can all thrive when we understand and appreciate the interconnection between our lives and our bodies. It often only takes a small change to have a huge impact on our well-being.
xo, Lizzie
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This week’s featured essential oil:(s) DigestZen and PB+ Assist
DigestZen is well known for its ability to aid in digestion, soothe occasional stomach upset, and maintain overall digestive health when taken internally.* This unique blend contains Ginger, Fennel, and Coriander to help ease occasional stomach discomfort, including motion sickness and indigestion, while Peppermint, Tarragon, Anise, and Caraway aid with digestion and help maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract.* DigestZen is great to have on hand when stomach upset occurs and is safe and effective. Internal use of DigestZen is a healthy, natural, and gentle way to soothe an upset stomach or maintain a healthy digestive system.*
PB Assist+ is a proprietary formula of pre-biotic fiber and six strains of probiotic microorganisms in a unique doublelayer vegetable capsule. It delivers 6 billion CFUs of active probiotic cultures and soluble pre-biotic FOS (fructooligosaccharides) that encourage friendly bacterial growth.* The time-release, double-capsule delivery system is designed to help protect the sensitive probiotic cultures from stomach acid. PB Assist+ offers a unique, safe, and effective way to deliver the well-recognized digestive and immune system support benefits of probiotics.*
While whole food, nutrient- and fiber-rich dietary choices are the best for overall health (and there is a rapidly growing body of research to support probiotic and prebiotic supplementation), weight management is still an unfinished puzzle. Should you get your stool analyzed or ask your physician to schedule a full microbiome screening before deciding how to plan the dietary component of your weight management plan? Possibly, but further research needs to be conducted. To meet your own goals, focus on creating a negative energy balance, make sure you include doTERRA Lifelong Vitality Pack® to meet your vitamin and mineral needs, and experiment to find which foods work best for you
References
Learn about detoxification and cleansing.
Read more about creating healthy habits.
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