Hippocrates said, “All disease begins in the gut.” And, he could not have been more correct! Conversations about the gut microbiome have been the talk of the town for quite some time now. Healthy, balanced gut flora is key to maintaining health and healing chronic conditions such as autoimmune disease, IBS, and skin issues. The state of your gut also greatly affects your immune system. Did you know the wall of the gut houses 70 percent of the cells that make up the entire immune system? Crazy, right? Keeping your gut in tip-top shape is key to keeping your entire body healthy and happy. WHERE IT ALL BEGINS It has been discovered that babies are born with a sterile digestive system. When they are in the womb they don’t need gut bacteria as all of their nutrition comes directly from mom. Upon entering the world their digestive system begins to colonize bacteria based on their mother’s existing bacteria. Hence why the mother’s state of health is so critical to baby. Through the birthing process and breastmilk, babies develop their balance of gut bacteria. Babies that are born via c-section or who are bottle-fed can still gain a healthy balance of bacteria through supplementing with probiotics and the introduction of probiotic and prebiotic-rich foods as they grow. PROBIOTICS VS. PREBIOTICS. SO, WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? Probiotics are living microorganisms and when taken internally result in health benefits. Prebiotics are made up of fiber the body cannot digest and act as food for probiotics. Both Probiotics and Prebiotics are needed for a balance of the gut microbiome. Think of it this way. You can consume all the probiotics you want but they will die off if you don’t feed them. Just as you need food to survive they do too. The market is saturated with probiotic and prebiotic supplements. While I think supplements have their place in contributing to overall health and wellness, my recommendation to clients is to always focus on real, whole foods first. It’s easier than you think to sneak probiotic and prebiotic-rich foods into your current diet. Here are ten foods you can start adding to your diet today to achieve better gut health. Article continued HERE on The Institute of Transformational Nutrition Blog. In Love, Health + Gratitude, Katie

“Sweet is the first taste humans prefer from birth, “says Christine Gebastabt, MD, RD, a dietitian, and American Dietetic Association spokeswomen. This is due to the natural sweetness of breastmilk. Sweets are all around us. They are part of every culture and play a role in our happiest moments and celebrations. They are associated with our memories and soothe us when we are having a bad day. SUGAR ADDICTION IS A REAL THING Sugar has not only been found to contribute to a number of health issues but research shows that it can be even more addicting than cocaine. Scary right? It has been found that the link between sugar and addictive behavior is due to the fact that sugar stimulates the same reward circuits in the brain that are activated by cocaine. And, every time we eat sugar, we are reinforcing those neuropathways. The more we eat sugar the more we are hardwiring our brains to crave it. Even though sugar has a bad rap, I do believe sugar in moderation can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Everything in life is about balance including what we put in our mouths. However, if sugar has become part of your every day and you are feeling like you can’t live life without it. It may be time for a little sugar detox. Need help kicking your sugar cravings to the curb? The 10 tips below will help you get started! Article continued HERE on The Institute of Transformational Nutrition Blog. In Love, Health + Gratitude, Katie