• Our digestive system is more connected than you think!
• Digestion commences in your mouth
• Defecation: a key to gut health
• The influence of stress on digestion
• Distinguishing bacteria from probiotics
• Supporting your gut health with prebiotics and probiotics

Our digestive system is more connected than you think!

Our digestive system, often overlooked and underestimated, is a marvel of complexity that is interconnected to our bodily functions. This goes beyond what we have all learnt from our textbooks in school. It is often referred to as the “second brain” as it can influence the way we think, feel, and function on a daily basis.

However, many of us face common digestive issues like bloating, constipation, and indigestion, which can significantly affect our quality of life. Hence, a better understanding our gut is beneficial when it comes to taking better care of our digestive health.

With that in mind, get ready to digest these fascinating facts and pave your way to maintaining a healthy gut! 

Digestion commences in your mouth

Contrary to popular belief, digestion doesn’t begin solely in the stomach – it actually begins the moment you take your first bite. The process entails four distinct phases: ingestion (mouth), digestion (stomach), absorption (small intestine), and defecation (large intestine and rectum).

As food enters your mouth, saliva containing enzymes initiates the breakdown of carbohydrates, facilitating mechanical and chemical digestion¹. The saliva also moistens food, making it easier to swallow and aiding in the formation of boluses that can be smoothly passed on for the next digestion phase.

Defecation: a key to gut health

You read it right!

Did you know that the defecation process helps gut motility? It assists the muscles in your digestive system to rhythmically contract to propel your stool in the intestine area out of your body. This in turn allows your body to eliminate toxins, bacteria, and other harmful substance from affecting your digestive system².

It is one way your body is maintaining the health and proper functions of the gastrointestinal tract. This natural process highlights the importance of dietary habits in supporting digestive health. Consuming a diet rich in fibre, found abundantly in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, provides bulk to stool, facilitating smoother bowel movements and reducing the risk of constipation.

Additionally, staying hydrated helps maintain the fluid balance in our intestines, aiding in the softening and passage of stool. 

The influence of stress on digestion

Stress plays a very big influence on the performance of the body’s digestive system. Common symptoms of stress that we can observe are acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and changes in the bowel habits. When your body experiences stress, your body might be diverting resources away from the digestive system³.

Recognising the impact of stress on digestion is essential for maintaining gut health and overall well-being. Furthermore, lifestyle choices such as inconsistent sleep cycles, sedentary behaviour, and poor dietary habits can aggravate the impact of stress on the digestive system⁴.  

Inconsistent sleep: 

• Disrupts hormonal balance and increases cortisol levels, contributing to heightened stress responses and digestive discomfort. 

Sedentary lifestyle: 

• Slows down blood flow and digestion. 
• Obstructs the gastrointestinal flow due to compression on the diaphragm and abdominal area.

Poor dietary habits: 

• Processed food often lacks the beneficial fibre which plays an essential role in keeping your microbiome healthy⁵.  
• Reduces the intestines’ ability to absorb the nutrients effectively.

Distinguishing bacteria from probiotics

A common misconception is that the bacteria in the stomach is the same as the ones in probiotic strains. While probiotics are live microorganisms that offer health benefits when consumed, not all bacteria present in the stomach qualify as probiotics.

The term ‘probiotic’ specifically refers to strains of bacteria or yeasts that have been scientifically studied and proven to confer health benefits, such as supporting digestion, boosting the immune system, improving bowel movement, and balancing gut flora.  

Supporting your gut health with prebiotics and probiotics

Prebiotics and probiotics are two essential components for maintaining a healthy gut. Probiotics, which are live microorganisms found in fermented foods like yoghurt and sauerkraut, populates the gut with beneficial bacteria. These bacteria aid in digestion, support immune function, and contribute to overall well-being.

With LB-30, you’ll get 30 billion* probiotic cultures with 5 proprietary strains that are of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genus. These strains are protected with a patented 5-layer nano-coating to ensure their survival in the gastric environment.

On the other hand, prebiotics are non-digestible fibres found in foods such as onions, garlic, and bananas. They serve as fuel for probiotics and other beneficial bacteria in the gut, promoting their growth and activity.

Broculin is made with a blend that contains broccoli seed and chicory root extract. The potent synergy of Sulforaphane Glucosinolate (SGS) from the broccoli seed along with Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and chicory inulin works hand in hand to provide support for gut health. 

Combining prebiotics and probiotics is beneficial because prebiotics act as food for probiotics, enhancing their growth and activity in the gut. This will create the perfect environment in your digestive system for probiotics to thrive.

Together, prebiotics and probiotics work synergistically to promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria, supporting optimal digestion, immune function, and overall gut health.  

Show your gut a little love today! 

Ready to explore more health tips? Discover additional health insights and expert nutrition know-hows on Happiness Journal, Avance’s very own blog site.

*Delivers a minimum of 30 billion active probiotics at time of manufacture. 

Reference: 

1.  Kamrani, P., & Sadiq, N. M. (2023). Anatomy, Head and Neck, Oral Cavity (Mouth). Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31424855/   ↩︎
2. Azzouz LL, Sharma S. Physiology, Large Intestine. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; July 31, 2023. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29939634/    ↩︎
3. Konturek PC, Brzozowski T, Konturek SJ. Stress and the gut: pathophysiology, clinical consequences, diagnostic approach and treatment options. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2011;62(6):591-599. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22314561/    ↩︎
4. Orr, W. C., Fass, R., Sundaram, S. S., & Scheimann, A. O. (2020). The effect of sleep on gastrointestinal functioning in common digestive diseases. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 5(6), 616–624. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2468-1253(19)30412-1    ↩︎
5. Snelson, M., Tan, S. M., Clarke, R. E., de Pasquale, C., Thallas-Bonke, V., Nguyen, T.-V., Penfold, S. A., Harcourt, B. E., Sourris, K. C., Lindblom, R. S., Ziemann, M., Steer, D., El-Osta, A., Davies, M. J., Donnellan, L., Deo, P., Kellow, N. J., Cooper, M. E., Woodruff, T. M. (2021). Processed foods drive intestinal barrier permeability and microvascular diseases. Science Advances, 7(14). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abe4841   ↩︎