Prebiotics and Probiotics: Uncovering Your Digestive Health

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By Jason Pawloski, RDN | Registered Dietitian

Let’s talk more about gut health! By gut health, I mean the gastrointestinal tract and primarily speaking of the small and large intestines. 

Probiotics 

You might have heard about probiotics before. These are special kinds of bacteria that are good for the human body. There are many different types of these helpful bacteria living in our intestines, and we call them the “gut microbiome.”

Not only do these friendly strains of bacteria directly protect the gut obstacles with a layer of mucus and help to crowd out problematic “pathogenic” bacteria, but this protective physical layer also helps maintain the integrity of the gut lining. In other words, this additional layer of a physical gut obstacles further helps preserve the “tight junctions” that keep our intestinal cells and immune system functioning well.

There’s still a lot we don’t know about probiotics, like which types are best for each person. But some types, like Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, seem to be good for our health.

Did you know that certain strains of bacteria (i.e. probiotics) help to produce and regulate:

  • Short-chain fatty acids – helps regulate metabolism of blood glucose (sugar) and fats
  • B vitamins and vitamin K
  • Neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and glutamate)
  • Hormones 

Prebiotics

On the other hand, are certain fibers found in various foods, that have been shown to serve as a direct source of energy for the protective probiotics. In other words, humans do not digest fibers or prebiotics, however, the critically important probiotics do need fiber (provided regularly in the foods we eat daily) and do digest these fibers. In turn, these prebiotic fibers directly help to fuel the probiotics and help with all the roles listed above in bullet points.

So, perhaps instead of commonly asking “are you eating healthful and balanced?”, we should be asking “are you fueling your gut well?”.  Schedule an appointment with a NOAH Registered Dietitian for more education on how to manage a healthy gut.

HalloweenTeethTips

👻 5 Halloween Tooth-Friendly Tips 🎃

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These mouth-friendly reminders will be helpful for everyone to follow on Halloween or anytime there are plenty of yummy sweet treats around.

Tips:

1 – Consume treats in moderation, especially while out on the candy hunt.

2 – Drink plenty of water to help flush those sugar buggies out of your teeth.

3 – Allow you child to eat a few healthy choices after trick-or-treating and donate the rest.

4 – Brush your child’s teeth after eating their treats and before going to bed.

5 – Non-candy options like stickers, pencils, necklaces, and straws are great alternatives!

If you haven’t had a recent dental hygiene cleaning appointment, please call 480-882-4545 and schedule with one of our amazing Dentists. For more information about our dental services, go to https://noahhelps.org/services/dental/. 🦷 🪥

Watch Out! Tips to Stay Safe from Ticks and Mosquitoes

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Autumn has arrived, signaling the arrival of cooler temperatures, pumpkin patches, haunted houses, and a plethora of outdoor activities that us Arizonans eagerly anticipate. However, it’s important to remember that during the wet and warm months spanning from late spring through fall, mosquitoes and ticks become more active. So, before embarking on your autumn adventures, it’s wise to consider these tips to ensure your family’s well-being while enjoying the great outdoors this season.

Protect yourself from ticks

Ticks are carriers of diseases like Lyme disease and are usually found in high grass or wooded areas. Before you go outdoors:

  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck your pants into your socks to prevent ticks from biting
  • Wear light-colored clothes to spot ticks easily
  • Use insect repellent

After you come indoors

  • Check your clothing for ticks
  • Examine gear and pets
  • Shower soon after being outdoors

If you find a tick attached to your skin, simply remove the tick as soon as possible. There are several tick removal devices on the market, but a plain set of fine-tipped tweezers works very well. If you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing a tick, see your NOAH healthcare provider.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites

West Nile virus (WNV) is spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Because it is a virus, there is no cure for this infection. Before you go outdoors:

  • Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants
  • Use 0.5% permethrin to treat clothing and gear or buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear

While outdoors

  • Sleep under a mosquito net if outside or when screened rooms are not available
  • Avoid standing water such as puddles, bird baths, and pools
  • Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting

Eight out of ten people infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms. If you think you or a family member might have West Nile virus disease, talk with your NOAH health care provider.

By following these simple precautions, you can ensure your family’s well-being and make the most of the great outdoors this fall. For more outdoor safety tips to keep you and your family healthy, schedule an appointment with your NOAH provider today.