Health

Written by ILV Tuesday, 16 October 2012 10:28

A healthy gut mucosa is an important aspect of oveall gastrointestinal (GI) health. Our GI tract is inoculated largely after birth where newborns become exposed to their mother’s flora via the vaginal canal or skin then subsequently via diet and surrounding environment. A robust microflora contributes to a healthy immune system, proper gut maturation and integrity and a strong opposition to harmful pathogens. When this flora is disturbed from consistent antibiotic/drug use (either directly ingested or secondary via livestock and other food contaminated sources), invasive medical treatments, high acidity, laxatives, heavy metals, excessive fiber, protein deficiency, candida, parasites and other external pathogens and viruses it is important to repopulate what was lost. This “good” bacteria in our gut helps the body to make other essential vitamins and nutrients such as B12 (important for mood, memory and in the nervous system), B7 (important in hair, skin and nails) and vitamin K (essential for blood clotting). This may be achieved using prebiotics, probiotics or a combination of the two.

Written by ILV Tuesday, 14 August 2012 15:29

So what’s the all the buzz around New Zealand Whey?

First off it’s from New Zealand, and that’s special because the New Zealand Dairy Industry isthe most advanced dairy producer in the world and this is reflected in their very high standardsfor product safety, environmental sustainability and humane treatment of livestock.

Written by ILV Thursday, 05 July 2012 09:36

For a lot of us, as teenagers, our first skincare care advice we learned was that oils were not good for our skin. Well, we’re here to change that. All natural, fruit, nut and seed oils can have fantastic benefits for all types of skin, including oily skin.Many of these amazing oils come from many different exotic parts of the world. These oils have amazing protective, regenerative, healing and therapeutic properties. So what are these incredible oils? Introducing Goji Seed Oil, Tamanu Oil, Rosamoqueta Seed Oil and Seabuckthorn Oil, just what your skin has been waiting for.

Written by Christopher Monday, 02 April 2012 10:51

Fermented foods have been used for centuries in many parts of the world, in the form of traditional foods and drinks. We now know that there are many health benefits to consuming fermented foods on a regular basis, especially for digestion and gut health.  Foods can be fermented either naturally or by adding starter cultures that contain micro-organisms.  It is these beneficial organisms that produce numerous helpful enzymes as well as antibiotic and anti-carcinogenic substances.

These micro-organisms are what transforms the raw food into something new.The lactic acid that is produced is what preserves the food allowing it to be safe to eat. Lactic acid is also what promotes the growth of healthy flora throughout the intestines.In addition to taking probiotics for optimal gut health, consuming fermented foods is also an effective way to add more good bacteria to our diet. Many people believe that consuming fermented foods helps not only in improving digestion, but in overall health. A main focus being on how fermented foods can actually improve our immune system and make our bodies better at fighting off infection. It is easy to add more fermented foods to our diet -many are readily available at grocery and health stores.Start incorporating small amounts at a time, and notice if you feel improvement with your digestion. If you really wanted to, you can even learn how to make fermented foods yourself. There is definitely a learning curve when you first start, but there is really not much to it once you get the hang of it!

There are many fermented foods consumed around the globe. Let's go over a few of the most well-known ones that are also readily available to us here in Canada too.

Kefir
This is a fermented food that is becoming more popular, and even available to purchase at grocery stores. Kefir is a viscous and acidic milk beverage produced by fermentation of milk, with a particular grain in Eastern European and Middle Eastern countries. Kefir is easily digested and provides the body with beneficial micro-organisms that contribute to a healthy immune system. You can drink kefir on its own or add to smoothies.

Sauerkraut
This is one of the most common household fermented foods. Made from cabbage, sauerkraut combines the health benefits offered by all cruciferous vegetables, and cabbage is especially high in vitamins A andC. Cabbage also provides phytonutrient antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. After the fermentation process, sauerkraut contains probiotics giving it more health benefits.

Kimchi
The traditional Korean dish served with every meal is one of the most beneficial fermented foods.Like sauerkraut, kimchi is also made from cabbage and has probiotics derived from the fermentation process. It is beneficial in aiding digestion and helping with constipation. While we may not be accustomed to eating kimchi with our breakfast, it does make an excellent accompaniment to stir-fried vegetables and meat dishes.