The researchers found that women adhering to a gluten-free diet did experience greater vitality, lower stress, decreased depressive symptoms, and greater overall emotional health than those women not following the diet, but even so, they still experienced more stress, depression, and body dissatisfaction when compared to the general population.

Eating gluten-free, even in today’s world of readily available gluten-free fare, is a big adjustment, even when you have been eating gluten-free for years. Food becomes a central focus, rather than an afterthought. Everyday meal planning is required to be sure you have access to the right foods. Shopping at multiple grocery stores becomes the norm. Eating gluten-free creates a whole new way of life. This has the possibility of becoming stressful—and even alienating, depending on the company you keep.

But eating gluten-free—especially in those with celiac, but even in those who are gluten sensitive—is also a ticket to freedom for many people. Freedom from constant digestive issues with seemingly no solution, freedom from wondering, “What the heck is wrong with me?” and freedom from a downward health spiral that itself can cause more stress, dis-ease, and depression.

If you have celiac and you tend to get down about it, take a moment to think about what a gluten-free diet has given you, rather than what it has taken away. Sometimes a shift in perspective is all you need.

Two recent studies, presented at the American College of Gastroenterology’s 76^th Annual Scientific Meeting, discovered a connection between IBD and vitamin D status, or with latitude of geographic location at age 30. Latitude has been found to be strongly correlated with vitamin D status, because vitamin D is most commonly obtained through UV sun exposure. Those people living at higher latitudes are more likely to have insufficient vitamin D status; thus, the vitamin D connection to IBD.

In one study, it was found that people who lived in northern US latitudes at age 30 were more likely to later develop IBD. The researchers stated, “This differential risk may be explained by differences in UV light exposure, vitamin D status, or pollution.” The risk of developing Crohn’s disease was 50 percent lower in those people living in southern latitudes at age 30, and for ulcerative colitis, it was 35 percent lower.

In the second study, vitamin D3 supplementation was given to Crohn’s patients with low blood levels of vitamin D. The low-dose group received 1,000 IU daily, and the high-dose group received 10,000 IU daily. After 26 weeks of supplementation, there were differences in vitamin D levels, but more importantly, there was a significant improvement of disease symptoms in the high-dose compared to the low-dose group.

So many conditions are affected by insufficient vitamin D levels. If you do not know your vitamin D level, get it checked, even if you live in the south. Most integrative doctors recommend a vitamin D level of at least 50 ng/dL.

Recently the magazine’s elite panel of judges declared CleanseSMART™ and Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion™ winners based upon reader feedback and surveys from experts in the medical and nutritional supplements industries. CleanseSMART shined in the Cleansing & Detox category, while Ultimate Flora won for Probiotics supplements. Votes were tallied based on a series of surveys that focused on 31 categories in all—everything from fish oils and antioxidants to multivitamins and herbs—and included questions about quality, ingredients, formulation, cost, customer satisfaction, popularity, and availability. 

CleanseSMART remains one of ReNew Life’s most popular total-body cleanses, with a combination of 23 natural ingredients to promote detoxification, better digestion and overall health. Like all ReNew Life products, it’s free of added ingredients, fillers or binders, because our motto has always been, “Why put more toxins in your body when you’re trying to get them out?”

Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion is also a favorite among our customers. The high-potency, high-Bifido formula contains 10 powerful strains of beneficial bacteria and provides powerful digestive and immune support by helping to reestablish a healthy balance of good bacteria in the digestive tract. Ideal for those with troublesome digestion or who are taking antibiotics, Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion uses our unique Enteric-GUARD™ targeted delivery technology and features our exclusive Potent-GUARD™ guarantee.

So thanks to all of you who chose CleanseSMART and Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion on your journey toward superior health—we couldn’t have done it without your support!

 If you have persistent gas and bloating, abdominal pain, or chronic constipation or diarrhea, here’s something you should know: More and more Americans are finding out that sensitivity to gluten may be at the root of their problems. But is it just gluten sensitivity or is it celiac disease? And what’s the difference? The following is a brief overview:

 Gluten sensitivity is a broad term used to include many different types of sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in wheat. People who are sensitive to gluten may experience a wide range of symptoms, from mild inflammation of the intestinal lining to abdominal discomfort and occasional irritable bowel, but not everyone with gluten sensitivity develops celiac disease (those who don’t are considered Non-celiac Gluten Sensitive, or NCGS).

 However, people with gluten sensitivity may be experiencing the beginning stages of celiac disease. In essence, gluten sensitivity implies that the immune system cannot tolerate gluten in the diet. As a result, it forms protective antibodies to try to neutralize the gluten, in the same way it reacts to harmful bacteria or viruses. When these autoimmune reactions cause intestinal damage, a person is then considered to have celiac disease.

 Celiac disease is genetic and in some cases may be triggered by a traumatic physical or emotional event. More than 2 million Americans suffer from celiac disease, which can include severe abdominal pain and bloating, chronic diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, fatigue, and in some cases even severe anxiety and depression, skin problems, as well as bone and joint pain.

 The bottom line is this: If you have unexplained, persistent gastrointestinal issues and you and your doctor can’t seem to figure out why, gluten sensitivity may be the culprit. The best way to determine if you are truly gluten sensitive or if you have celiac disease is to have a simple stool test performed. Visit www.enterolab.com to find out more, and once you have the results you and your health care practitioner can take the next step toward better gastrointestinal health.

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.

More than 70 percent of your natural immune defenses are found in your gut, which means that the more efficiently your body is able to digest the foods you eat, the healthier you will be. When digestive function is at its peak, food is broken down completely, valuable nutrients are absorbed, and waste and toxins are eliminated from the body through regular, healthy bowel movements.

In recent decades poor digestion has become a growing problem in the America, mainly due to the overconsumption of high-fat, processed foods loaded with refined sugars and preservatives. These foods can slow the digestive process and lead to a buildup of waste and toxins in the colon, resulting in digestive problems such as heartburn, gas and bloating, diarrhea and constipation, which may in turn contribute to weight gain, yeast overgrowth, low energy, brain fog and more.

Educating yourself about the benefits of healthy digestion is the first step toward taking back control of your body and your health. In addition to good eating habits and getting plenty of exercise, natural digestive care supplements can help establish and maintain optimum digestive function to help you achieve lasting wellness.

Like what you read here? Keep checking back with ReNew Life’s Digestive Care Blog for the latest news and advice about better health through optimum digestion!

You may not realize it, but the majority of your body’s natural immune defenses are in your digestive tract, where friendly bacteria called probiotics work to crowd out harmful organisms and maintain a balanced intestinal environment. But when that balance is upset due to things like stress, travel and even poor eating habits—all of which can be a factor during the holidays—the bad bacteria can flourish, leaving your immune system vulnerable to attack.

Nowadays choosing the right daily probiotic supplement is as simple as reading labels and knowing what to look for. An effective high-potency formula should have at least 6 billion active cultures per serving, with a balanced blend of Bifidobacteria (the most prevalent good bacteria in a healthy large intestine) and Lactobacilli (the most prevalent good bacteria in a healthy small intestine). And because probiotics are important at every age, there are natural formulas for infants and children as well as targeted probiotics for young adults, seniors, and even women-specific formulas that promote vaginal and urinary tract health.

Want to know to more about choosing the right probiotic supplement? Ask ReNew Life!