They say every journey begins with a single step. For Brenda Watson, that step was the one she took when she walked into a health food store after years of battling constipation, fatigue, and countless other health problems. Since then more than two decades have passed, and Brenda feels healthier today than ever before.

If you have ever wondered how it all began—how Brenda Watson went from small-town southern girl to one of the most trusted names in natural digestive care today—you won’t want to miss The Road to Wellness: The Brenda Watson Story.

From a childhood plagued by health problems and endless prescriptions to the discovery that would ultimately change her life, hear how Brenda came to realize the vital importance of a healthy gut for better digestion and a strong immune system, including the inspiration behind creating the custom formulas that have made ReNew Life the company it is today.

This is one journey you won’t want to miss!

In technical terms, prebiotics are often defined as “non-digestible food ingredients” that promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. So what does that mean? Quite simply, prebiotics are a food source for probiotics. So as they travel through the digestive system, they nourish all those good bacteria along the way and help them grow and multiply. The result? More good bacteria in the gut, which means better digestion and a stronger natural defense system.

So where do prebiotics come from? Well, mostly from soluble fiber sources such as oats, legumes, flax and almonds—and that’s where the “non-digestible” part comes into play. Dietary fiber—including both soluble fiber and insoluble fiber—really just refers to the parts of plant foods that our bodies are unable to digest and absorb, which is why it’s sometimes called “roughage”. Because prebiotics are not digested, they remain in the digestive tract where they can do their job of feeding their probiotic partners.

In addition to obtaining prebiotics through the diet, nowadays many probiotic supplements will actually include prebiotics to help you get the benefit of this dynamic duo (i.e. probiotics and prebiotics). For example, you may see something called FOS on the label. Short for fructooligosaccharide, FOS is extracted from soluble fiber foods such as chicory root and will help to feed and stimulate the growth of beneficial probiotic bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli.

So there you have it! Two powerful “p” words that can go a long way toward better digestion and a stronger natural immune system—talk about a winning combination!

Prebiotic Food Sources:

• Almonds
• Asparagus
• Bananas
• Barley
• Berries
• Chicory Root
• Flax
• Garlic
• Honey
• Leeks
• Legumes
• Oats
• Onions
• Soybeans
• Wheat
• Whole Grains

The culprit? Microscopic bacteria that thrive in the sub-tropical water temperatures. Such bacteria can enter the body through ingestion or skin contact and could potentially upset the healthy balance of bacteria in the digestive tract, which is essential for optimal digestion and immune function.

Experts warn that the harmful bacteria may pose a particular threat for children as well as older adults who may be lacking in healthy gut bacteria, and recommend taking the following precautions if planning a day at the beach:

• Avoid swallowing ocean water.
• Do not swim if you are ill, have diarrhea or open wounds.
• Shower and wash your hands before and after swimming.
• Take children on frequent bathroom breaks/diaper changes.

Research also shows that taking a daily high-potency probiotic supplement can help boost the numbers of good bacteria in the gut and help ward off potential harmful invaders. As a general rule, adults should look for supplement with at least 15 billion active cultures per once-daily serving.

No, it’s not science fiction, just an emerging field of real science that continues to amaze doctors, scientists, and just about everyone in the health care community. And at the heart of it all is something that can’t even be seen with the naked eye—the trillions of microscopic bacteria that have been living in your gut since the day you were born.

The human digestive tract is where more than 70 percent of the body’s natural immune defenses are found. That means it plays a vital role in preserving overall health, and study after study has shown that the good bacteria (called probiotics) can help prevent everything from digestive problems such as irritable bowel and constipation to inflammation-related conditions such as asthma and allergies. Not only that, but the variations between one person’s gut environment and the next can make a big difference when it comes to whether or not they are more prone to certain diseases or conditions throughout life.

While this comes as no surprise to natural health experts—who have been touting the benefits of probiotics and a balanced gut for years—their hope is that it will increase awareness about the benefits of taking a daily probiotic supplement at every age in order to promote lifelong health.

Published in the journal Ophthalmology, findings from a recent study conducted at Johns Hopkins University show that older adults who eat one or more servings of fish weekly tend to have lower rates of AMD. Not only that, but regular fish eaters are 60 percent less likely to have advanced AMD than those who consume fish less than once a week. Scientists believe that the natural properties in fish-derived Omega-3s help to nourish and protect the delicate tissues of the eye.

While more research is planned to further investigate the role of Omega-3s and eye health, experts recommend increasing your intake of oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and albacore tuna to get the health benefits of fish-derived Omega-3s. For those who don’t like fish, a daily fish oil supplement provides a great alternative—just remember to look for a highly concentrated formula with lipase, a powerful fat-digesting enzyme that helps your body break down and use the healthy oils.

From beverages and shakes to lunches, dinners, sides and more, you’ll find plenty of mouthwatering options the whole family will enjoy—plus helpful tips and oodles of interesting food facts. Not only that, but our culinary experts will be adding new recipes periodically to provide you with fresh inspiration. So what will it be? Whole-grain French Toast with Yogurt and Bananas? Chicken Caesar Salad? Or maybe a slice of irresistible Carrot Spice Snack Cake? The possibilities are endless!

CBS this week ran a segment about drugs like Prilosec® and Nexium® that stated that “more than half of prescriptions for these drugs are unnecessary”. What’s more, PPIs often come with serious side effects that many people are unaware of—including a nearly 75 percent greater risk of developing a severe intestinal infection known as C. diff, as well as an increased risk of developing pneumonia, and a greater incidence of bone fractures (due to the fact that PPIs block calcium absorption in the body).

Essentially, taking PPIs upsets the healthy bacterial balance in your intestines (which is where the majority of your natural immune defenses can be found), leaving your body vulnerable to illness and infection. However, experts had some good advice about smarter, safer alternatives to harmful acid-blocking drugs, many of which include simple changes in diet and lifestyle that could reduce the chances of heartburn and reflux happening in the first place:

• Limit caffeine intake
• Avoid fatty and/or spicy foods
• Avoid chocolate
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Get plenty of exercise
• Quit smoking

A natural heartburn relief supplement made with ingredients such as ellagic acid (from raspberries and pomegranates) may also help ease the pain and discomfort of occasional heartburn, and a daily digestive enzyme with added HCl can help ensure complete digestion and prevent the onset of heartburn and reflux symptoms. Daily supplementation with a high-potency probiotic supplement may also help to reestablish and maintain a healthy bacterial balance in the intestinal tract.

Because a properly functioning digestive system provides the foundation for optimal health, ReNew Life encourages women to pay particular attention to their digestive health this week, beginning with making Brenda Watson’s H.O.P.E. Formula part of their daily routine. The 4-part daily nutritional plan combines high fiber, healthy Omega-3 fats, probiotics and enzymes—all of which play an essential role in helping to establish and maintain a healthy gut and, as a result, a healthy body. A total-body herbal cleanse at least twice yearly is also recommended to enhance digestion, energy and overall well being.

Here are the facts:

• Lovaza contains only 840mg combined of beneficial EPA and DHA Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil—about 200mg less than the leading maximum-strength fish oil supplement.
• Lovaza costs approximately $180 dollars for 120 pills (a 1-month supply)—about $150 more than the leading maximum-strength fish oil supplement.
• The recommended daily dose of Lovaza is 4 per day. Many non-prescription fish oil supplements come in an easier one-a-day dose.
• Lovaza capsules are not enteric-coated. (In vitro studies show 3X more Omega-3 absorption with enteric-coated capsules when compared with non-coated capsules.)
• Lovaza does not include lipase, an essential fat-splitting enzyme necessary for complete oil digestion in the body.
• Lovaza soft-gel capsules are made from both pork- and beef-derived gelatin. Many leading non-prescription fish oil supplements use superior fish-derived gelatin capsules.
• Lovaza fish oil capsules are unflavored, while many non-prescription supplements include natural orange or lemon flavor to help lessen fishy aftertaste.
• Lovaza does not include any added beneficial ingredients such as vitamin D₃.

In fact, the only thing that sets Lovaza apart from the leading maximum-strength fish oil supplement is that it has been approved by the FDA to “treat a specific condition” (i.e. high triglycerides). However, the majority of premium non-prescription fish oils undergo strict purification processes to ensure purity, potency and freshness and are guaranteed safe and effective by International Fish Oil Standards.

About the Benefits of Fish Oil…

Experts like the American Heart Association agree that taking a daily fish oil supplement is one of the best things you can do for your body, since fish-derived Omega-3 fatty acids help to nourish active tissues in the body like those found in the heart, brain, eyes and joints. Not only that, but beneficial Omega-3s help with digestion and bowel regularity, and current research links a diet rich in Omega-3 fats with enhanced memory, mood, and even improved fat metabolism.