Expat Living (Singapore)

Wellness from Within

Better immunity, digestion, focus and energy – there are so many benefits to balancing your gut and making a probiotic supplement part of your daily wellness ritual.

- BY JESS SMIT

Do you need a gut reset? Globally, one in two consumers have purchased probiotic products in the past year, with digestive and immunity benefits among the driving forces. However, it can be confusing to know which product to choose, especially when you don’t know your bacteria from your colonies. We chat with the team from Nurture, a probiotics-led supplement­s brand from New Zealand, to find out more about how these tiny powerhouse­s can address key health concerns and revitalise from within.

The relationsh­ip between gut health and our overall wellbeing is no fleeting health trend. This range of probiotics­led supplement­s is backed by almost 100 years of research and expertise in the field of microbial cultures, with parent company Fonterra’s Microbial Fermentati­on Unit (MFU) opening back in 1927!

Let’s start off with probiotics – what do we need to know about them?

Probiotics are helpful living microorgan­isms. When you consume enough of them, they can have a beneficial effect on your body and health and help keep the bad bacteria in your gut in check.

What happens when you neglect your gut health?

The gut plays a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption and immune system function, so not giving it the attention it deserves can have consequenc­es for your health. From digestive issues and nutrient absorption, to a weakened immune system, mental health concerns and dreaded inflammati­on, it pays to have these microbial allies on our side in our day-to-day lives.

What makes a good probiotic supplement?

It’s important that the strains of whichever formulatio­n you choose have been tested for their safety, stability in the gut and effectiven­ess. As members of both the Internatio­nal Probiotics Associatio­n (IPA) and the Internatio­nal Scientific Associatio­n for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), the probiotics used by Nurture have US FDA GRAS status and studies showing no adverse effects, the strains are proven to survive in the harsh conditions of the human gastrointe­stinal tract, and there is scientific evidence to document various health benefits of the probiotics used in our formulatio­ns. Plus, they don’t contain lots of sugar or artificial flavours, and they’re lactose-free.

Can you tell us about the strains that your formulatio­ns use?

Over 20 years ago, Fonterra’s MFU began screening more than 2,000 bacterial strains to identify potential probiotics. Through vigorous testing and extensive research, we discovered two unique precision-fermented probiotic strains – HN001 and HN019.

How do we know which gut health solution is right for us?

A dual-benefit probiotics supplement, each Nurture variant comes with a vitamins and minerals bundle. Choose from Digestion + Immunity with zinc, vitamin C and vitamin D to support your immunity, Digestion + Energy with vitamin B12, iron and magnesium to help reduce tiredness and fatigue and Digestion + Focus with vitamin B5, iron + zinc to support mental clarity. Simply add to water, stir and enjoy!

Besides taking a high-quality probiotic, what else can you do to boost your microbiome?

A balanced diet rich in fibre is an important lifestyle factor for a happy gut, along with staying hydrated, managing stress and getting enough sleep.

Special offer for EL readers: Get an exclusive 10 percent discount on your purchases with code “EXPATLIV10” at checkout. This limited-time offer is not applicable for bundles. Scan the QR code to kickstart your wellness journey.

 ?? ??
 ?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Singapore