96% Of Brits Believe Gut Health Impacts Quality Of Life
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Yet, Only 56% Say They Know What To Do To Offer Support To Their Gut
New research by PrecisionBiotics® — the smart brains behind a range of targeted, and scientifically-proven probiotic supplements, has discovered that a high 96% of adult Brits rightly believe that their gut health can impact their overall quality of life.[1] Yet despite this, 44% don’t think you can do anything to support their gut health and 4% wrongly believe there is nothing that can be done. A high 59% of people are not even sure what a healthy gut would feel like.
The research has also found that 63% of all respondents believe that stress can aggravate gut health, yet every week an average of 40% of adults feel stressed.[2] On the flip side, as the prevalence of gut problems such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome have increased[3] so has the number of people experiencing anxiety,[4] insomnia[5] and systemic inflammation.[6]
Dr Nisa Aslam, GP with a special interest in nutrition and an adviser to PrecisionBiotics® says: “Most of us seem to know that gut health impacts our wellness, yet issues such as occasional stress and anxiety can also influence gut health by affecting the levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut; it’s a catch 22.”
In fact, there were several common signs that respondents experience from:
- 46% experience from daily anxiety or stress
- 40% experience bloating
- 36% deal with gas
- 33% face low self-confidence.
Discussing the connection between the gut and the brain, Dr Emma Derbyshire, Public Health nutritionist and advisor to PrecisionBiotics® explains: “The gut and brain are interlinked by various pathways, hence the gut being described as the ‘second brain’. In fact, there is constant chatter and biofeedback between the gut and brain, known as the gut-brain axis but we are only beginning to appreciate the implications of this cycle of stress and sub-optimal gut health.”
When asked how stomach issues affect their daily life, 54% of respondents from the research poll said they felt that they had less energy; 34% feel they can’t eat what they want, 27% feel less confident and a quarter don’t want to exercise.
As for the various stomach conditions Brits are facing:
- 44% of adults noted that they suffered from bloating
- 29% are faced with stomach cramps and pain
- 31% suffer from diarrhoea.
The PrecisionBiotics® research also unearthed the top triggers for stomach issues with:
- 59% blaming their dietary habits
- 44% noting a lack of water
- 30% attributing general worries as a cause
- 20% citing work pressures
- 34% saying it’s because they eat too much sugar.
- 24% blame poor sleep.
Dr Nisa Aslam says: “Many of these stomach pain triggers are linked. Stress and poor sleep are recognised drivers for unhealthy food choices.[7] This promotes weight gain, increasing the risk of certain diseases. Stress, poor sleep and being overweight are also drivers for systemic inflammation which undermines immunity and fuels many chronic conditions, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.[8]
“Meanwhile, poor sleep,[9] stress,[10] obesity[11] and chronic inflammation[12] are all associated with poor gut health, and stress and depression increase gut permeability and allow bacteria to seep into the bloodstream, where it triggers an inflammatory response.[13] Ultimately, the gut-brain-axis influences mood, cognition, immunity and many other aspects of psychological and physical wellbeing while conversely, it can also be negatively impacted by diet, lifestyle and other factors such as stress.”
Clinical nutritionist and an advisor to PrecisionBiotics® Suzie Sawyer adds: “Researchers have even identified a link between irregular sleep patterns, which have been linked to a host of health issues, and harmful gut bacteria,[14] and several studies show that changes in gut bacteria can increase or reduce the risk of depression and anxiety.[15] Interestingly, 95% of the body’s serotonin — the happy hormone — is produced in the gut.”[16]
So , with all this in mind, a scientifically studied intervention to support gut health, could help support the nation’s gut health for the better.
PrecisionBiotics® – Offering Probiotic Goodness
PrecisionBiotics® has developed a range of targeted formulations which are scientifically studied to help support the gut microbiome and address specific challenges such as stress and help support gut health for the better.
PrecisionBiotics®, founded by scientists, has spent more than 20 years researching probiotic cultures and enzymes to unlock the natural power of the human microbiome.”
According to the PrecisionBiotics® research, 19% of adults expect changes within a day of taking probiotics and 18% expect to see changes in a week. However, Dr Emma Derbyshire says: “The British Dietetic Association recommends taking probiotics for at least four weeks to give them time to work;[17] it takes time for probiotics to start to work their magic, via the gut-brain-axis, and begin to reset other body systems and biofeedback.”
PrecisonBiotics formulations come in a range of adult and child-friendly formats. Each product delivers the live probiotics that will survive stomach acids and reach the gut in the numbers needed to get to work, helping to restore and re-set the microbiome.
The PrecisionBiotics® Range:
Alflorex® Original – This one-a-day daily gut health supplement is packed with 10^9 live Bifidobacterium longum 35624™ bacteria, a clinically studied strain which mothers pass to their infants, if you prefer a chewable table, Alflorex® Chewable, delivers the same bacterial strain of Bifidobacterium longum 35624.™
Specifically targeted to children age 3 and up, is Alflorex® Children 30 Powder Sachets which deliver 1 x 10⁸ (1 billion Colony Forming Units (CFU) of live Bifidobacterium longum 35624™ in an easy to dissolve powder with a hint of vanilla flavour.
For extra calcium support, try Alflorex® + Calcium A Daily Gut Health Supplement, which combines 10^9 live Bifidobacterium longum 35624™ with 120 milligrams (mg) of calcium, which supports normal function of digestive enzymes and a healthy digestive system.
Alflorex® Dual Action Daily Gut & Brain Health Supplement with around 1 billion bacteria from the Bifidobacterium longum strains 35624™ and 1714™, plus 120mg of calcium, 6mg of pantothenic acid and 1.4mg of vitamin B6. Calcium, plays a crucial role in supporting the normal function of digestive enzymes, ensuring proper digestion and nutrient absorption, leading to a healthy digestive system. Additionally, B6 helps to reduce fatigue, supporting your energy levels throughout the day.
To support relaxation and emotions Daily Calm® Emotional Balance. “This contains 1 billion colony forming units (CFU) of clinically proven Bifidobacterium longum 1714™, enhanced by 30mg of saffron extract to contribute to emotional balance and relaxation as well as and 1.4mg of vitamin B6, which support normal psychological function.”
The Zenflore® Daily Mental Wellness Supplement contains 10^9 live Bifidobacterium longum strain 1714™ alongside a powerful blend of vitamins B6 and B12 both contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and Pantothenic acid which contributes to normal mental performance.
Finally, PrecisionBiotics® Daily Good Bacteria® Gut Health Supplement has been developed for those looking for a daily probiotic supplement or support during and after antibiotic use. This is also suitable for ongoing use. It delivers 4 billion CFU of the scientifically studied Bifidobacterium BB-12™ and Lactobacillus LA-5™ bacterial strains, plus fructooligosaccharides (FOS) which acts as food for bacteria in the gut.
