Sleep

• Recent studies have shown that the metabolites that the gut microbiome produces effect sleep greatly. These gut byproducts directly influence the central nervous system and the “internal clock” through specific circadian factors. These factors affect sleep duration, body composition and even energy! A lack of sleep has been associated with gut dysbiosis and fragmented sleep. Fix your gut and get your slumber!(1)

Skin

• The skin is the largest organ in the body and it is densely innervated by the nervous system, similar to the gut. Clinical studies have demonstrated that through complex immune mechanisms the influence of the gut microbiome extends to involve distant organ systems including the skin. Prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics have proven beneficial in the prevention and/or treatment of inflammatory skin diseases including acne, dermatitis, and psoriasis. It’s safe to say a health gut can lead to clearer skin! (2)

Mood

• The gut is widely considered as our “second brain”. This gut–brain-axis is associated with alterations in the stress response and overall behavior in humans. There is a strong correlation between mental symptoms such as low mood and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Over 50% of people with gut issues state that they deal with depression and or anxiety on a regular basis. Optimizing the gut–brain axis is increasingly being proposed as a target to help with things like brain fog, depression, and irritability. Fun fact: Most of your serotonin, a feel-good hormone, is made in the gut! (3)

Weight

• Obesity is becoming an epidemic in the Western world, and it is caused by diet, metabolism, and the environment someone chooses to be in. New evidence has shown that the gut microbiome mediates the interaction between food and the metabolites that digestion produces. Some of these metabolites have a direct influence on inflammation and the way the metabolism works which can help modulate weight loss. Optimizing your microbiome can help you lose those extra pounds! (4)

Longevity

• Everyone wants to be forever young but what if the secret was in the bacteria that reside on your large intestine? Starting in mid-to-late adulthood, gut microbiomes become increasingly unique to individuals. Retaining high counts of certain bacterial colonies in older age has shown to increase survival rate and “healthspan”. Microbial diversity in the gut goes down as we age so it’s extremely important to consume prebiotics and postbiotics to ensure a healthy gut environment!  (5)