I’m going to go out on a limb today and say that most of us aren’t in a hurry to be pushing up daisies anytime soon. 

Fair statement?

But unfortunately, many of us are sabotaging our health and rolling out the red carpet for the grim reaper to come calling.

Note that I’m not even talking about the obvious deadly habits like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption or illicit drug use here.

I’m talking about the health of your gut.  And you had better be too, if you know what’s good for you.

Your gut is the single most significant reason why you are sitting there reading this blog right now instead of being six feet under, my friend.

Here is why your gut can either be a killer or a lifesaver, and how you can help keep yours healthy so it supports LIFE—not death!

Balance is where it’s at

When it comes to maintaining optimal health, it’s a matter of balance in your body.

For example, your 200 or so hormones need to be balanced—too much or too little of one or more means disease of some kind. 

You need a good balance of exercise and rest.  Regular physical activity is crucial, but you can’t overdo it because you’re opening yourself up to injuries.

You need a balanced diet that provides a wide range of nutrients.  Eating junk food or going on fad diets that call for complete elimination of certain food groups will undoubtedly lead to nutritional deficiencies and sickness.

But the most important balance of all is in your gut microbiome!

Because having an unhealthy intestinal flora balance that favors harmful yeasts and microbes (called dysbiosis) can cause or worsen a wide range of serious health problems including ALL of these: 

• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Autoimmune diseases
• Bad breath
• Belching
• Bloating
• Bowel urgency
• Celiac disease
• Constipation
• Cramping
• Cystic acne
• Depression and anxiety
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Fibromyalgia
• Food allergies & sensitivities
• Foul-smelling stools
• Frequent indigestion
• Gas
• Gastritis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Interstitial cystitis
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Itching in vagina, anus or other areas
• Mucus or blood in stool
• Nausea after taking vitamins
• Rectal itching
• Restless leg syndrome
• Sinus congestion
• Skin problems
• Undigested food in stools

In addition, dysbiosis can lead to weakened immune function!  Your gut houses 70-80 percent of your immune system, so when your microbiome balance is topsy-turvy, your immune system cannot protect you as well as it should.

And considering that your immune system fights infections, viruses and even cancer, having an unhealthy gut can be positively deadly!

The ideal balance in your microbiome is at least 85 percent healthy bacteria and 15 percent or less harmful microbes. 

But many people are walking around with the exact opposite of what they should have!

And paying a dear price with their health.

The different types of dysbiosis

Dysbiosis comes in several different types—see which ones might sound like YOU:

Insufficiency dysbiosis: This is usually a consequence of poor digestion, taking too many antibiotics or getting too little fiber.  It’s associated with IBS and food sensitivities.

Putrefaction dysbiosis: This is the result of not having enough digestive enzymes or stomach acid to break down proteins.  It can cause vitamin B12 deficiency and is associated with hormone-related cancers.  This is typically the result of using acid reducers or eating lots of processed and fast foods.

Fermentation dysbiosis: This occurs when you eat too many refined carbs and sugars.  Its classic symptoms are chronic gas and bloating.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): This is when bacteria that normally reside in the large intestine “swim upstream” into the small intestine, usually due to low stomach acid and use of acid reducers.  The most common symptoms are chronic gas, bloating and constipation.

Fungal dysbiosis: This is an overgrowth of Candida in your gut, and can result from stress, use of antibiotics, birth control pills or steroids, and eating too many refined carbs and sugars.  Candida is the ultimate masquerader and can cause a wide variety of problems including: gas, bloating, constipation, anxiety, depression, insomnia, bladder infections, vaginal infections, mood swings, fuzzy thinking, ringing in the ears and PMS symptoms.

Bring it back to a healthy balance

Even though dysbiosis can cause a myriad of problems for you, the good news is you can feel a whole lot better when you take steps to bring your gut microbiome back into balance.

Here are some very helpful strategies to get you on the road to a healthier gut:

Probiotics.  There’s nothing better than giving your system a daily dose of the healthful bacteria it so desperately needs. 

And the best probiotic for this crucial job is Super Shield multi-strain probiotic formula!

Super Shield contains a careful blend of 13 strains of both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species—this is crucial because Lactobacillus strains reside in your small intestine and Bifidobacteria live in the large intestine.  So to have an inferior formula that contains only one or the other is selling your system short, and likely keeping you from feeling as great as you could!

Avoid processed and fast foods.  These are extremely difficult for your body to break down and cause you to expend far more digestive enzymes than Nature ever intended you to. 

Plus they are loaded with refined carbs (which feed harmful yeasts in your gut), are nutrient-poor and create loads of acid wastes that make your innards resemble a clogged toilet.

How’s that for a visual?

Digestive enzyme supplementation.  If you feel enzyme shortages or low stomach acid may be an issue for you, supplementation with an outstanding enzyme formula like Digestizol Max is just what you need. 

Digestizol Max’s complete blend of 15 plant-derived enzymes can work alongside your system’s enzymes and promote thorough, complete digestion, and less heartburn and constipation.

Fight back against SIBO.  Both oregano and garlic have anti-microbial properties and are very effective in the fight against SIBO.

That’s why our SIBO Defense Blend contains both of these herbal superstars.  They have both been shown to counteract the bacterial overgrowth with SIBO, while at the same time being gentle to the good bacteria in your gut!

Keep yeasts under control.  Like I mentioned above, when yeasts are allowed to grow out of control, they can become fungal monsters stirring up all kinds of sickness and disease.

But our Optimal Yeast Support Blend can help turn that around for you.  It provides a powerful combination of natural antifungal and antimicrobial nutrients and herbs—some that have been used for centuries!--that have a history of success in countering Candida and helping to restore a healthier intestinal environment.

Engage the awesome power of your gut to support great health and a long life!

To your health,

Sherry Brescia