holistic

Why You Should Consider a Probiotic

 

What is all the fuss about probiotics? What are they?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide a health benefit to the environment that hosts them. Another way to think of probiotics is as good bacteria – similar to what is naturally found in our stomachs.

So, Your stomach feels fine.  Why add one more thing to your list of vitamins? Here is a few reasons why you should consider Probiotics.

  1. Improve Your Immune Function – Medical Science is beginning to uncover just how much of our immune system is not just located in our lymph nodes and spleen, but in our intestine as well.  The good bacteria in our gut play a large role in maintain this immune function.
  2. Mood Improvement – Our intestines also contain the nervous system chemicals that effect our mood.  Having a “gut” feeling is not just a saying anymore.  Replenishing the good bacteria in the gut can help to improve mood and rid your self of the upset “stomach” that comes with anxiety.
  3. Reduce Inflammation – Probiotics have been found in one study to reduce temporary inflammation throughout the entire body including your joints, skin and bones.
  4. Get more Nutrition from what you Eat – Probiotics help to reduce gut inflammation.  By reducing gut inflammation, the nutrients of your food is better absorbed.  If you eat healthy and your food is not well absorbed, you will not reap the same benefits of healthy eating as someone whose gut is in balance.
  5. Improve Your Oral Health – Your mouth is the very top part of your digestive system.  Certain probiotics can encourage long-term equilibrium of oral bacteria. 

What reduces these good bacteria?

Remember, these important “good” bacteria in your body are not just effected by taking antibiotics for medical conditions, but their balance is also effected by antibiotics in your food, food with too much sugar, environmental toxins, medications such as antacids and steroids, and stress.  It can take almost 9 months with probiotics to replenish what may be lost with one antibiotic course.

Replenish – Replenish your body with a good probiotic.  It is critical to choose a good probiotic.  If the “good” bacteria in the supplement can not get through the acid in your stomach it will not reach the critical place you need it, your gut.  Few supplements have the technology to make sure this occurs.  Also, your probiotic should be diverse.  Having only two or three strains may not be adequate.  Make sure to do your research or ask your doctor for a good brand. 

Why consider buying supplements from Balanced Physician Care?

The supplements that we have chosen are made from companies that we have screened for quality and purity.  Our guarantee to you as a medical practice is that the supplements you receive from our office have been screened to the best of our ability to have the highest quality and purity standards.  Because probiotics are live organisms, there are many challenges associated with manufacturing and distributing probiotic supplements. For a probiotic to be effective, it must be shelf-stable through the expiration date and precisely delivered to the intestinal tract, where it can have maximum benefit.

Supplements and Herbals are NOT regulated by the FDA.  Therefore, while the marketing label can look like a quality product there is very little in the way consumers can do ensure to check the quality and purity of supplements. 

Optimize Your Health, Simplify Your Life,

Dr Sharyl Truty MD

 

Sharyl Truty

 

Dr. Sharyl Truty is an Integrative Medicine Physician, Board Certified in Family Medicine, and owner of Balanced Physician Care in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.  Do you have supplement questions?  Book a consultation by calling 904.930.4774

Summertime Recovery

"Summer, Summer, Summertime, time to sit back and unwind" - will smith

Summertime is often a time to rest and relax.  Many of us plan vacations to get away.  However, how many of us actually rest during this time?  Often we pack our vacations and our summer with many activities just different ones.  When the end of summer comes, will you feel rested?

Rest and recovery is a key principle to performance in any athlete.  Basic, sports training protocols include a period of rest and recovery in any performance training program.  Athletes know that physical improvements from all of their hard training only occur during recovery time.  This is true for both mind and body.  Sleep is the equivalent physical rest for the mind.  Growing evidence shows the importance of sleep in decreasing inflammation in the body and the brain.

Make rest a priority this summer.  Despite the drive to fill this time with summer activities and projects, find ways to make rest a part of your summer.

  1. Do Less. Make a conscious effort to double your estimation of how long any activities will take.  Give yourself more time with one activity to truly enjoy it.  Even with summer housework projects put limits on how much you want to achieve.  Give yourself permission to say "No" when things come up that threaten this easier schedule.
  2. Schedule Rest Time. Rest time can slowly slip away as we plan our summer. Put "rest" on your calendar just as you would any other activity.
  3. Try a relaxing activity. Try a low intensity activity something that quiets you mind. Put the earphones and audio away and just get absorbed in that activity.  It can be something as simple and out of the routine as stargazing, painting a bookcase or looking for shells on the beach.
  4. Be mindful during your vacations. Really enjoy your surroundings when you get away. Take time to get really interested in everything about the new experience you are about to enjoy.  Push away other demands on your time as much as possible and just enjoy the moment.
  5. Take an Adult Nap. As adults sometimes actually sleeping during the day can disrupt our sleep cycle. I call an adult nap a period of time where you just rest, recline and do something quite without an I-phone or a TV.  This can be crossword puzzle, reading a magazine or just swinging in a hammock. 
  6. Get out into Nature. Even if you are not the "outdoorsy" type, our brains are still wired to be cued into nature. Sounds, pictures and being out in nature naturally restore our minds.  Find you personal "green zone" whether this is your backyard or a local park and just enjoy some scheduled time outside.

Take back your summer.  Rest your body, mind and spirit and I guarantee you'll be ready to take on the world this fall. 

 

Dr. Sharyl Truty is a Board Certified Sports Medicine Physician and fellowship trained in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. She is owner of Balanced Physician Care in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

 

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