Immunity and good digestive health

Did you know that optimal digestive health can promote optimal immune health?

Optimal digestion is important to ensure we properly break down and utilize our nutrients, but the digestive tract also plays a crucial role in immunity. While lifestyle factors are important, the health of our immune system could also rely on the health of our gut. The human body contains trillions of tiny microscopic bacteria that make up an essential part of our immune system. In fact, the digestive tract is home to the largest concentration and diversity of bacteria in the body. The gastrointestinal tract also contains the largest amount of lymphoid tissue in the body, and it is this lymphoid tissue that is responsible for synchronizing defense strategies between the innate and adaptive immune system¹. Understanding this helps us to know why good gut health is paramount for good immune health.

To keep your gut in top shape, nourish it well with pre- and probiotic foods and take multi-strain probiotics. Over 1,000 strains of bacteria can be found in the human gut, so it is important to choose a probiotic supplement with a certain diversity of strains, but the overall number of cultures is just as important. The number of cultures refers to the total number of bacteria in each serving. A powerful probiotic formula contains several strains of bacteria and billions of live cultures per serving to help you get more beneficial microbes for a healthy gut at all ages.

For Toddlers

Renew Life® FloraBABY is a clinically studied, multi-strain probiotic blend specifically formulated for newborns that can be taken from birth². It is currently used in over 60 neonatal intensive care units across Canada. FloraBABY is formulated with 2 billion active cultures and 5 clinically studied probiotic strains to help support the gut and gastrointestinal health of infants and children. It is a flavourless powder that can easily be mixed into a warm or cold drink, including infant formula, water, juice, milk, and/or soft foods, including applesauce. It can also be made into a paste and applied to the nipple during breastfeeding. 

Renew Life® Kids Daily Vitality is formulated with 10 billion active cultures and 2 clinically studied probiotic strains to support children's digestive and respiratory systems. Taken daily, this innovative probiotic supplement helps support respiratory health as well as gut and gastrointestinal health. Available as a convenient, fruit-punch flavoured, fast-dissolving powder, it's a fun format for kids.

For Women

Renew Life® Ultimate Flora Women's Vaginal Support Probiotic is a 10-strain, 50 billion active culture formula to support women's gut and overall health in a convenient once-daily capsule. It is a lactobacilli-based formula that not only mimics the prevalence of bacteria found in a healthy vagina and urinary tract, but also helps to restore digestive harmony and help you feel lighter and more energetic.

For added convenience, there is also a shelf-stable formula. Ultimate Flora Women's Daily Care Probiotic is a formula containing 25 billion active cultures and 10 strains, and is dairy and soy-free.

For Everyone

Renew Life® Ultimate Flora Critical Care is a 50 billion active culture, 10-strain formula in a convenient once-daily capsule. It contains a combination of 20 billion lactobacilli cultures and 30 billion bifidus bacteria to promote gut balance.

If you enjoy the convenience of a shelf-stable formula, try the Ultimate Flora Critical Care formula with 50 billion active cultures, 12 strains, dairy and soy-free, available in a blister pack ideal for on-the-go.

For Seniors

As we age, populations of good bacteria can begin to decline, especially bifidobacteria that live in the colon. Ultimate Flora Colon Care is a powerful multi-strain probiotic blend that provides 80 billion live bacterial cultures in a convenient once-daily capsule. It contains 10 strains of live bacteria, with a combination of 32 lactobacilli cultures and 48 billion bifidus bacteria to support gut and gastrointestinal health.

While taking antibiotics

When taking antibiotics, should you consume probiotics? The answer is yes, but take them at least 3 hours apart. Think of probiotics as planting good seeds and pulling weeds. Ultimate Flora Ultra-Potent Probiotic is Renew Life®'s most powerful multi-strain probiotic blend providing 100 billion live bacterial cultures in a convenient once-daily capsule. It contains 10 different strains of live bacteria, with a combination of 50 lactobacilli cultures and 50 billion bifidus bacteria.

Since 70% of your immune system is in your digestive tract, make sure yours is ready to face any virus or immune threat that may require support.

[1] California Institute of Technology. (2013). A home for the microbiome: Biologists identify how beneficial bacteria reside and thrive in gastrointestinal tract. Available: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130819171824.htm. Last accessed 6 Mar 20.
[2] Source: * Janvier A, J Malo, Barrington KJ. Cohort study of probiotics in a North American neonatal intensive care unit. The Journal of pediatrics 164.5 (2014): 980-985.