The relationship between probiotics and prebiotics is a close one, with each being a popular topic in their own right in today’s nutritional conversations.

While the two sound similar, it is important to understand their differences when embarking upon your new health journey and choosing between probiotic or prebiotic supplements.

The difference between probiotic and prebiotic supplements

Probiotic and prebiotic supplements perform two very different tasks within the body.

Probiotics

Probiotics are the healthy bacteria that live in your gut and make up your gut microbiome which, much like a fingerprint, is unique to each of us.

Today, we know there are almost 1500 different probiotic species that call our gut microbiome home. We each have unique levels of bacteria in our gut, and the probiotic species’ that need topping up through supplements will vary.

Most probiotic supplements only contain a small number of probiotics – which means that by taking one, it is unlikely you will replace the specific species in your microbiome that needs to be restored.

When you take the same probiotic day after day, it is also very easy to overpopulate a species and throw the gut microbiome – and the healthy bacteria that live there – out of balance.

Prebiotics

Probiotics need food to survive, but they don’t eat just anything – and that’s where prebiotics come in. Prebiotics are the food that probiotics eat.

With over 1500 different species of probiotics in the gut, it can be hard to know which are running low and need topping up. By taking prebiotic supplements, you can rest assured that every species will be fed – and not just some of them.

There are many prebiotic whole foods you can eat including chicory root, green bananas and garlic that will all help to replenish the probiotics in your gut.

For a tasty treat your gut will love, try our Gut Blend Bliss Balls. Combined with 2x heaped teaspoons of our Prebiotic Blend, they make a sweet snack for you and an even sweeter snack for your microbiome.

Chicory root: a prebiotic whole food

Eating foods that your gut loves will help you to maintain a healthy balance of probiotics within it. Chicory root is one of those foods, and because of the inulin fibre it contains, it’s the key ingredient in our Prebiotic Blend.

The health benefits of chicory root are numerous, but the main reason we love it is because it’s a tasty source of food for the probiotics in your gut.

Caring for your health means caring for your gut

Emerging studies are showing that the gut is more important than we ever believed it to be. There is a significant connection between our gut health and mental health, and who knows? Maybe someday soon science will surpass folklore in telling you to listen to your gut.

Improving your gut health is imperative to improving your overall health. Our Prebiotic Blend will feed the probiotics in your gut to ensure a healthy, happy and balanced microbiome – and a healthier, happier you!

Improve your gut health with our Prebiotic Blend

Herbs that help to reduce inflammation

When it comes to finding a natural anti-inflammatory, you might not have to look any further than the herbs and spices in your pantry.

While many of us already know about the health benefits of turmeric, there are numerous other common herbs and spices that have incredible natural anti-inflammatory properties.

By themselves, these herbs and spices aren’t likely to have much of an effect. However, when taken in conjunction with a plant-based diet and whole food, plant-based supplements, you may just start to see the symptoms associated with your inflammation – whether that be fatigue, pain, or infection, to name a few examples – improve with the use of these natural anti-inflammatories.

Flourish natural health supplements are made with premium, medicinal grade ingredients

Whilst the ingredients we use in our natural supplements are common to people’s pantries, the specific grade we use in our blends is less common.

Our ingredients are of a therapeutic nature and dose, which means that the grade of turmeric, cinnamon, chicory root and other whole foods we use is not the same as what you might find in your kitchen cupboard or on the supermarket shelf.

By using premium, medicinal grade ingredients, our health blends contain the highest quality nutrients that work together to effectively target and improve inflammation, liver function and digestive health.

Turmeric

The health benefits of turmeric are many, and the ancient spice is well known for its natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, is the component that allows the spice to act as a natural remedy to reducing inflammation.

Our Turmeric Blend is a natural anti-inflammatory that harnesses the power of turmeric’s curcumin, as well as 12 other plant-based whole foods, to target, reduce and relieve inflammation in your body.

Ginger

Ginger is another spice known for its natural anti-inflammatory properties, having been used as a folk medicine for hundreds of years.

Studies have shown that ginger acts in much the same way as COX-2 inhibitors, which are a type of drug used specifically to treat and relieve inflammation.

Cinnamon

Often used in baking or sprinkled over a cappuccino, cinnamon is a popular spice that doubles as a natural anti-inflammatory.

These natural anti-inflammatory properties come from the polyphenol antioxidants that cinnamon is packed with, which may help to protect against disease and keep you in optimal health.

Try adding cinnamon to your next smoothie, bowl of porridge or hot drink – ideally, black tea, coffee or hot chocolate. A woody spice with a sweet and spicy aroma, it tends to work best with sweet dishes.

Cloves

While research on the natural anti-inflammatory properties of cloves is rather limited, one study shows that the spice does contain anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial and anticancer properties.

You can infuse whole cloves into warm drinks like tea, or use powdered clove in baked and savoury meals.

Green tea

Renowned for its myriad health benefits, green tea has been used in China for thousands of years – and has since been shared with the rest of the world.

Green tea is another herb containing the antioxidants polyphenols, which have strong natural anti-inflammatory properties, and can also help to improve and treat digestive issues and diseases including diabetes.

Black pepper

Black pepper is a popular spice that can be found in most kitchens in Australia – and in other parts of the world, too. Piperine, one of the chemical compounds of black pepper, may help to fight the early stages of inflammation.

Not only does it contain natural anti-inflammatory properties, but black pepper also has antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. When used with turmeric, it helps to enhance the spice’s anti-inflammatory effects.

Garlic

Closely related to the leek, onion, shallot and chive, garlic is another spice (technically, it’s actually a vegetable) whose medicinal properties have been used for thousands of years.

Research has shown that not only does garlic have natural anti-inflammatory properties, but it also has additional benefits – garlic is well known for its ability to fight the common cold by acting as an immune system booster.

It also contains antioxidants that may help to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as active sulfur compounds that can help to reduce blood pressure.

Incorporate these herbs and spices into your diet

Not only do these herbs and spices have natural anti-inflammatory effects on the body, but each of them is also a healthy (and delicious!) addition to any meal.

Fighting inflammation in your body is about embracing a diet filled with natural-anti inflammatory foods. Here at Flourish, we know that adopting a whole food, plant-based diet can significantly improve your health.

Our all-natural health blends – and more specifically, our Turmeric Blend – can help to boost your health and relieve inflammation throughout your body.

Fight inflammation with our Turmeric Blend

The global conversation around mental health

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 450 million people worldwide currently suffer from mental health disorders. In their lifetimes, 1 in 7 Australians will experience depression, and 1 quarter of the country’s population will experience anxiety.

Mental health disorders have become a global conversation, and there is a lot of research being done to identify the cause. Studies are beginning to show the significant connection between gut health and mental health, and how the two are intertwined.

The gut-brain connection

Also known as the gut-brain axis, the connection between the gut and the brain is a strong one. There is a bidirectional link between the two, which means that communication goes both ways – the gut can send and receive messages to and from the brain, and vice versa.

Interestingly, we can often feel emotion in our gut. Whenever you experience “butterflies”, or the feeling of being “sick to your stomach”, your brain and your gut are actually communicating with one another.

The gut microbiome refers to the community of bacteria in your intestines. When these bacteria are healthy and balanced, they work in harmony with the rest of your body.

However, when your gut microbiome is unbalanced, it has the power to negatively influence your brain – and thus, your mental health.

Food and mood go hand-in-hand

Research is making it clear that the food you consume can directly affect your mood. Foods that are high in sugar can give you a quick high followed by a crash, and carb-heavy, processed foods can put you to sleep.

It is no surprise, then, that certain foods can either boost or lower your mood.

Signs that your gut health could be affecting your mental health

Gas and bloating

If you are experiencing gas and bloating after a meal, it could be because your gut microbiome has become unbalanced and the bad bacteria within it has taken over.

This unbalance can be caused or worsened by excessive alcohol consumption, medication, antibiotics, external stress or a poor diet.

People who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are likely to have associated mood disorders and anxiety. With a whole-food, plant-based diet, you can replenish the good bacteria in your gut, rebalance your microbiome and ease any IBS symptoms you may be experiencing.

Food intolerances or allergies

Allergies or intolerances to food can cause your stomach much discomfort, and can often lead to other afflictions like brain fog and fatigue.

While you might not be aware of any intolerances, it is important to determine whether certain food types may be harming your gut. By removing any foods from your diet that cause your body distress, you can boost your gut health and improve your mental health as a result.

Constant fatigue

When Candida albicans (a naturally-occurring yeast found within our bodies) overruns the gut, fatigue is just one of the many ways it can affect you – and your mental health. Because Candida albicans live off sugar, they cause intense sugar cravings.

These cravings, when succumbed to, will cause an initial spike in energy, followed by a crash that will only leave you craving more sugar for another energy boost. Poor quality sleep can also be a factor, as studies have shown that the gut microbiome can affect sleep regulation.

To help fight fatigue and give yourself an uninterrupted night’s sleep, ensure that your diet contains all of the necessary nutrients to keep you feeling energised and healthy – both mentally and physically.

Your gut health may be affecting your mental health

The food you eat has the power to take over your gut microbiome, which can bend your brain and your body to its unbalanced will. Our Prebiotic Blend feeds the good bacteria in your gut, strengthening your microbiome and improving your overall health and wellbeing.

By opting for a whole-food, plant-based diet, you can take one step further to restoring a healthy balance to your gut microbiome and improving your mental wellbeing along the way.

Improve your mental health with our Prebiotic Blend

A liver cleanse will help your detoxifying organ in more ways than one

Renowned for its diligence in detoxifying the body, it’s easy to assume that the liver is just that: a detoxifier. In reality, the liver is a multifaceted organ with many different roles, serving over 500 essential functions within the body.

Made with beetroot powder, our Daily Detox blend will give your body the liver cleanse it needs to keep those 500 essential functions working at optimum capacity.

The liver is the largest solid organ in our bodies, and is the second heaviest (skin takes first place on the weight front). Not only is the liver a hard worker, but just like skin, it also has the unique ability to regenerate and heal itself.

Important liver functions

Regeneration

So long as it stays healthy, the liver has the power to completely regenerate itself, even when as little as 25% of the original tissue remains.

It can take anywhere from 8-15 days to regrow to its previous size and, once regenerated, the new liver can perform all of the same functions as before.

Bile production

Bile is a greenish-yellow secretion produced by the liver that helps the small intestine to remove waste and break down fats during the digestion process. It is made up of bilirubin, cholesterol, electrolytes, bile acids and salts, and water.

Cholesterol production

Your liver works in unison with the intestines to produce cholesterol, a wax-like type of fat found in every single cell within the human body. Though being linked to heart disease has given cholesterol a bad name, its role in the body is an important one.

So important, in fact, that 80% of cholesterol is produced by the body, and only 20% comes from food consumption. Cholesterol is vital because it’s needed to make hormones and vitamin D, aid with metabolism and build cell membranes.

Thyroid management

The thyroid gland releases thyroid hormones into the bloodstream to help with the growth, development and metabolism in the human body.

When the liver is working in healthy harmony with the thyroid gland, it can transport, metabolise, store and secrete thyroid hormones. This keeps your bodily processes regulated, like body temperature and heartbeat, as well as muscle and digestive function.

Blood clot regulation

Bile – which we now know is produced by the liver – helps with the absorption of vitamin K. Vitamin K helps to create coagulants that, in turn, assist with clotting the blood.

Your blood needs to clot when you get a cut or an open wound because the clotting helps to slow – and eventually, stop – the bleeding.

Bilirubin removal

The liver helps to excrete bilirubin from the body. Bilirubin is a substance formed through the process of breaking down red blood cells. An excess of bilirubin can lead to jaundice, an illness known for its yellowing effect on the eyes and skin.

Iron storage

The liver processes hemoglobin in the blood to use its iron content for storage. Stored in the form of ferritin, it will eventually be used to make new red blood cells. Not one to be exclusive with its storage, the liver also stockpiles numerous vitamins and minerals.

Toxin removal

While many of us are already aware of the liver’s detoxification capabilities, it is still important to note that this powerful organ removes toxins like drugs, alcohol and other poisonous substances from the body.

Infection prevention

The liver is a part of the immune system that helps to prevent infection by removing any harmful bacteria from the bloodstream before it can travel to the rest of the body. It destroys any potential pathogens that threaten to enter the bloodstream by way of the gut.

Conversion of glucose to glycogen

Depending on what your body needs, the liver can either store or produce glucose. Your cells use glucose for energy, but when glucose levels in the blood get too high, the liver converts glucose into glycogen and stores it in the body for future use.

Keep your liver healthy and it will keep you healthy, too

With so many different functions to perform, it is vital that you take care of your liver. When you take care of your liver, you can bet that it will take care of you, too. Our Daily Detox blend targets liver health and function and works to look after your liver for you.

Opt for a whole-food, plant-based diet to give your liver – and your body – the nutrients it needs to thrive. Remember that while your liver does have the power to regenerate, it can only do so when it’s healthy – which means that keeping your liver in optimal condition is key.

Keep your liver in optimal health with our Daily Detox blend

 

Olive oil isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

With so many health experts heralding different advice as to what’s good for you and what isn’t, it can be hard to decipher the truth.

Olive oil is so commonly believed to be good for you because of its revered place in the Mediterranean diet – a diet which is renowned for being a healthy one.

But does that actually make it good for you? Or is it just another food type to be tossed into the ongoing healthy versus unhealthy conversation?

What is the Mediterranean diet?

The Mediterranean diet consists mostly of vegetables, fruits, fish, nuts and whole grains. It’s considered to be healthy not only because of what it includes, but also because of what it doesn’t include: refined sugars and grains, as well as various processed foods and meats.

When people talk about the Mediterranean diet, they fail to mention that it consists of about 1 tbsp of olive oil per day. Unlike a typical Australian diet, where we might be consuming as much as 1 tbsp per meal.

Because the Mediterranean diet is well balanced and typically contains only healthy whole foods, the foods within it – including olive oil – tend to get the tick of approval. But olive oil is not as healthy as you might think.

Olive oil is unhealthy for your heart

Oil is heavily processed. To transition from an olive to an oil, olives have to be processed in such a way that their physical shape and appearance is completely broken down and liquified.

When food is highly processed, like chocolate bars or fast food burger buns, we know that it is bad for us because it has moved too far from its original, whole state.

When we look at olive oil through the same lens, we can see that it, too, transforms significantly from its original state. As a whole food, olives eaten in moderation are good for you. But as a highly processed oil? Not so much.

A monounsaturated fat

Monounsaturated fats have long been known as healthy fats. This is because they differ from saturated fats, which can be found in dairy products, certain kinds of oils, animal meats and processed snacks.

Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fat, and while monounsaturated fats are promoted as being better for you than saturated (and trans) fats, it still doesn’t mean that they’re healthy. It just means that both are fats, and one is slightly better for you than the other. Slightly.

Studies have shown that olive oil, though better for you than many other oils, could still lead to diseased arteries. Consumption of the oil has also been linked to increased atheroslerotic plaque build-up, a common cause of heart disease.

Olive Oil = BAD

Olive oil is a fat, and too much fat isn’t good for you. After being heavily processed, it also becomes nutrient deficient, and the best advice we can give you is to steer entirely clear of it.

There are many healthy and delicious meals that can be cooked without olive oil. You can still stir-fry, steam, bake, boil and roast all of your favourite foods without oil, and your heart will be much happier for it.