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How to Prevent Foodborne Illnesses

By on October 28, 2015
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Written by Caroline Farquhar of Naturally Savvy

It’s important to protect yourself to ensure that you have a strong and healthy immune system. Supplement with good bacteria! Supplementing with good bacteria (probiotics) is the easiest way to build up your good bacteria and keep your immune system strong. Eating yogurt is not enough so here are a few things to look for when choosing a probiotic supplement:

1. Look for high culture count in a probiotic.
The culture count refers to the total amount of live, friendly bacterial cultures in a single serving.  Some people may need a higher amount depending upon age or health-related concern.

2. Check out the number of strains of a probiotic.
There are over 1,000 strains of beneficial bacteria in the gut.  A good rule of thumb is that a variety of strains more closely resembles the diversity that naturally exists in the gut.  Look for the naturally occurring strains that begin with Ls and Bs,  like lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.  A good way to remember is that the L strains are good for the little (small) intestine.  The B strains are good for the big (large) intestine or colon.  It’s also important to get a variety of strains because each person’s body has a different bacterial footprint and utilizes some bacterial strains better than others.  Cover all the bases with one supplement for best results.

3. Make sure the capsule is designed for delayed release of the probiotics.
Probiotics must travel through the harsh stomach environment and be delivered to the intestines to be effective.  If they never make it through the stomach acid, they won’t do you any good.  Delayed-release capsules are enteric coated to remain intact through the stomach and begin dissolving in the intestine where the pH is more alkaline and where they are needed most.

4. Look for potency of the probiotics at time of expiration, not manufacture.
Any probiotic is fresh when manufactured, but very few remain at full strength through their expiration date.  A probiotic supplement, when delivered to the right place in the intestinal tract, with the right amount of cultures and strains, can help promote digestive health, bowel regularity and strengthen the body’s natural immune defenses.

Other Ways to Support Immunity

• Wash your hands regularly
• Get plenty of sleep
• Drink lots of water
• Eat a healthy diet of whole foods like fruits, veggies, grains, nuts, seeds and lean meats.
• Avoid processed foods and sugar (sugar in any form quickly suppresses the immune system by paralyzing white blood cells)
• Supplement with a good multivitamin
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Stop smoking
• Reduce and manage stress

Keeping healthy during the summer/fall season is all about being aware, being proactive and probiotics go a long way to help keep your immune system strong.
Caroline_Event_Thumb-150x150Caroline Farquhar is Naturally Savvy’s Digestive Care Specialist. Caroline is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Energy Medicine Practitioner, and Reiki Practitioner.

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