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Phloe® is a natural, gentle and effective way to support your bowel health. 

About Phloe

Bowel Health

Biotics

Zyme

Kids

Did you know our nervous system can affect our digestive health? It’s called the gut-brain axis. Watch as Phloe naturopath Rochelle Bailey explains how meditation can help ease an out-of-sorts gut.

Watch as Phloe naturopath Rochelle Bailey explains how meditation can help ease an out-of-sorts gut.

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Phloe Meditation and Bowel Health

Phloe - Meditation and Bowel Health

Oats and apple are a great source of soluble fibre that helps with healthy cholesterol and blood sugar, removes toxins and feeds your good bacteria.

<h2>Recipe. Apple Bircher Muesli or Porridge</h2>
This is a great high-fibre way to start your day. Oats and apple are a great source of soluble fibre that helps with healthy cholesterol and blood sugar, removes toxins and feeds your good bacteria. They also help to keep you regular. Ginger and cinnamon help to warm the digestive system ready for the day.
Ingredients
<ul>
<li>½ cup of oats</li>
<li>1 tbsp of shredded coconut</li>
<li>½ tsp of cinnamon powder</li>
<li>¼ tsp of ginger powder</li>
<li>1 small apple grated</li>
<li>Optional – 1 tbsp sultanas or raisins</li>
</ul>
To serve
Milk or plant milk (almond, soy, oat milk) 
Or 
Plain Yoghurt
For an extra antioxidant top with berries or kiwifruit
Prepare the night before
<ol>
<li>Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl and stir thoroughly</li>
<li>Add enough water to cover the dry ingredients</li>
<li>Cover the bowl with a cloth or kitchen paper and leave on the kitchen bench overnight (this allows for natural fermentation to encourage good gut bacteria)</li>
</ol>
At breakfast time
You should find that all the water has been absorbed into the dry ingredients.
Muesli Cold option
<ol>
<li>Mix in one of the milk options or yoghurt</li>
<li>Top with fruit if desired</li>
</ol>
Muesli Warm option
Either
Tip the ingredient in the bowl into a saucepan and stir in milk and warm over low heat on the stove
Or
Add milk to the bowl and stir thoroughly. Microwave in 30-second increments until warm.

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PHLOE BIRCHER ARTICLE HERO 33

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Recipe Apple Bircher Muesli or Porridge

Recipe. Apple Bircher Muesli or Porridge

A great high fibre way to start your day. 

Digestive enzymes help to break down your foods to ensure you get the nutrients you need to be healthy. If you experience gut problems, it is likely that you need some extra help from digestive enzymes. 

Digestive enzymes help your body break down the foods that you eat to make sure you get the nutrients you need to be healthy. If you experience gut problems, particularly after eating specific foods, it is likely that you need some extra help from digestive enzymes.
Most enzymes are produced naturally by your body and different enzymes break down different types of foods groups such as fat, carbohydrates, protein, fibre, and lactose (dairy).
<h2>Common Digestive Enzymes</h2>
<h3>Amylase</h3>
Amylase helps you break down the carbohydrates you eat into sugars that your body can absorb and use for energy. Carbohydrates are found mostly in:
• Grains (bread, cereal, pasta, oats, rice) 
• Lentils and beans 
• Vegetables (potato, squash, corn, peas) 
• Fruit (dried fruit, bananas, pineapple, apple, grapes)
Your body produces amylase naturally in your saliva and pancreas. Amylase in saliva is the first step of your food breakdown, so chewing your foods well before you swallow is important to ensure you produce enough. 
Low amylase levels may cause problems with metabolising carbohydrates leading to belly fat, low levels of cholesterol and increased blood pressure.
<h3>Protease</h3>
Protease is necessary to break down protein in food into amino acids to be absorbed and used by the body. Healthy sources of protein are found mostly in:
• Meat and fish 
• Dairy and eggs 
• Tofu, tempeh 
• Nuts and seeds
Your body naturally produces protease in your stomach, small intestine, and pancreas. Some foods also contain proteases. Pineapple and papaya fruit are two of the richest protease food sources. 
Low protease levels may cause problems after your meals such as gas, bloating or abdominal discomfort.
<h3>Cellulase</h3>
The main function of cellulase is to ensure we digest fibre from plant foods such as fruit and vegetables. It is needed to break down cellulose which is a key part of the outer cellular structure of plants. It helps convert cellulose into beta-glucose, which gives us energy in our bodies.
Cellulase enzymes are not naturally produced by your body. Instead, we have to rely on a healthy diet and gut function. Cellulase is not simply one enzyme but there are many different types of cellulase that operate differently.
Not enough cellulase production can slow down food transit through the digestive system. It’s helpful to have enough cellulase in the body to help break down your plant foods. It will keep food moving through your digestive tract and push waste out of the body.
<h3>Lactase</h3>
Lactase helps break down lactose, which is found in all sources of dairy foods such as:
• Dairy sourced from animals such as cow, goat, sheep, and buffalo 
• Cheese, butter, milk 
• Any foods containing dairy
Lactase is an enzyme that is naturally produced by your body in the small intestine. However, if you are intolerant or allergic to dairy, it is likely that you are not producing enough. There are a range of reasons why this is but having increased levels of lactase will aid in the digestion of dairy foods and potentially reduce your allergic response.
Low levels of lactase in the body may cause a range of reactions in the body, bloating, gas and gut discomfort are common. Dairy intolerance may also lead to a range of other issues usually related to skin, respiratory and immunity health.
<h3>Lipase</h3>
The function of Lipase is to digest fats and lipids by breaking down the fats into molecules tiny enough for your small intestine to absorb. Healthy sources of fat are found in:
• Salmon and mackerel 
• Avocado 
• Olive and Hemp oil 
• Nuts and seeds
Your body naturally produces the enzyme lipase, and it is present in the pancreas, intestines, and a variety of other places in your body. It’s particularly important to look after your pancreas to support healthy lipase enzyme levels. Make sure you limit your animal fat intake and introduce more healthy fats to your diet. 
Low levels of lipase may lead to too much fat in the blood, which may accumulate in arteries and around organs such as the liver and heart.
<a href="https://www.phloe.co.nz/product/phloe-zyme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Phloe Zyme</a><a href="https://api.phloe.production.beingbui.lt/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/mobile_zyme_@2x.png"><img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-1989 alignright" src="https://api.phloe.production.beingbui.lt/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/mobile_zyme_@2x-141x300.png" alt="Phloe Zyme pack" width="141" height="300" srcset="https://api.phloe.production.beingbui.lt/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/mobile_zyme_@2x-141x300.png 141w, https://api.phloe.production.beingbui.lt/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/mobile_zyme_@2x.png 254w" sizes="(max-width: 141px) 100vw, 141px" /></a>
Phloe® Zyme has all the benefits of regular Phloe®, being natural and containing Zyactinase®, the unique kiwifruit extract which has many clinical studies to back its efficacy. 
Phloe® Zyme contains additional digestive enzymes to help your gut break down a range of different food groups that may be causing bloating, gas, gut discomfort or other issues. 
Key health benefits:
• Supports those who struggle to digest food groups such as fat, dairy, carbs, protein and plant fibre 
• Gently normalises bowel movements without causing urgency 
• Supports healthy acid balance 
• Suitable for long term use
Along with taking Phloe® Zyme, maintaining a healthy diet can help support your digestive enzymes too.

Diet, Digestive Enzymes and Phloe Zyme

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In the warmer months we need to make sure we are keeping hydrated. Water is needed in every cell of the body and is essential to maintain healthy blood pressure, normal kidney function and mental clarity...

Hydration is also important to maintain a healthy functioning digestive system.  For example, we need fluids to create our stomach acid and digestive enzymes to enable us to smoothly breakdown our food.  Water is drawn into the digestive system to help soften stools to make them easier to pass.  Dehydration can lead to constipation, so it is important to have at least 8 glasses of fluid. This may seem a lot, but spread throughout the day should be easily achievable.
Some drinks are better than others. For instance, caffeine containing drinks like tea and coffee can help with thirst, but too much caffeine can be dehydrating.
Many people find drinking warm or cold water uninteresting, so we have put together some ideas on how to make water-based drinks more interesting.
Soak and chill – When it is hot outside what could be better than a lovely cool flavoured water from the fridge. Keeping a jug of water in the fridge can be enhanced by adding some fruits or vegetables for flavour. Ideas include strawberries, lemon, orange or lime slices, cucumber, melon or pomegranate.  You can also add in herbs like basil, rosemary, lemon balm and mint.
Ice is nice – Flavoured ice cubes can help chill a drink and make it more interesting.  Add fruit or fruit juice in an ice cube tray and freeze… ready to add to your glass of water.
Herbal teas – These often have digestive qualities and are hydrating and caffeine free. Herbs like chamomile, ginger, cinnamon, peppermint or fennel tea make a stomach soothing drink. For example, just pour boiling water onto a slice of ginger root, a stick of cinnamon or some mint leaves and leave it to steep.
Herbal tea bags can also be used and can be made as a hot drink. In summer these can be left to cool and then chilled in the fridge for a refreshing drink.
Coconut water – This is a great drink for summertime as it is full of electrolytes for quick hydration and is alkaline; so great for people with overly acidic digestive systems.

Staying Hydrated in the Summer Months

Watch Phloe Naturopath Jane Cronin discuss why you might like to try Phloe Zyme to ease your digestion this Christmas

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WHY-PHLOE-ZYME

Ease your digestion this Christmas

Why take Phloe Zyme?

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Most people are aware that Phloe helps support bowel regularity and naturally assume it is a laxative. However, Phloe is a more comprehensive solution for bowel health and regularity and when taken daily has many benefits for the digestive system.  To understand why Phloe is different we need to understand what laxatives do.

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Is Phloe a Laxative?

Even though we are stepping into the summer season, our immune system will still be working overtime to keep us healthy. We need to protect ourselves from family members in the household that might be carrying bugs and anyone who we come into contact in our daily lives...

The gut and immune system work together to support a healthy body
One of the most effective ways to support our immune system is by making sure our digestive tract is functioning well and contains a healthy microbiome. The relationship between our gut (microbiome) and immunity, is otherwise known as the microbiota-immune axis, or in layman’s terms, gut immunity.
Our gastrointestinal tract is made up of over 10,000 species and trillions of microbial cells. These play a dominant role in our ability to keep a strong and healthy immunity. The gut microbiome is actually one of the first lines of defence when exposed to potential threat. Other first lines of defence are our saliva, stomach acid, tears, mucous and skin.
Most human microbiota resides in the gut, and it has the job of regulating 70 – 80% of the body’s immune system. Clinical research on gut microbiome is significant and has shown that the gut influences both the strength and development of the immune system. When everything is running smoothly, the gut sends signals to help develop a healthy immune function response. In exchange, the immune system helps to populate the gut with healthy microbiome.
Our gut immunity also has a connection to our respiratory health
Even though our digestive system seems a world away from respiratory health, research is finding growing connections between the two systems. It seems that messages are sent further afield to the digestive system via enzymes called lysozymes. These enzymes break up our good bacteria in the gut and the fragments are sent out through the body. They signal that our respiratory system may be under attack and our body responds by mobilising all immune defence in the lung and respiratory system.
The relationship between the gut and immune system is complex and actually quite incredible. And it’s quite clear that maintaining a balanced ratio of good bacteria gives your immune system and gut a chance to protect your body and is crucial to the health of our immune and respiratory systems.
Scientific research consistently points towards a range of factors that change the gut microbiota, such as our diet, stress levels, lifestyle, health conditions and medications. Food allergens like dairy and gluten can also play a part, as they can disturb the delicate intestinal lining of the gut, dramatically altering the microbiota and making it more vulnerable to new harmful invaders.
How can the whole family look after gut immunity?
If you want to take action to increase healthy gut microbiome for you and the family, you can start by making some simple changes to the household meals.
Prebiotics are food for healthy microbiome in your gut and increase the biodiversity. You can find them in foods like garlic, onion, leeks, asparagus, banana, apple, barley and oats.
Reduce packaged foods containing sugar where possible, as well as fatty meat (especially preserved meats), and any other fatty or fast foods. Fresh veges and fruit are usually the best option for building balanced microflora in the gut. Not to mention all the additional beneficial nutrients, which our body survives off.
You could also include some daily probiotic foods such as yoghurt and sauerkraut as they can support the strength and health of the cells of the gut lining. Luckily, the same way bad guys can overpopulate the gut, good guys can too.
Whether for adults or children, taking Phloe on a daily basis can make a huge impact on gut immunity. We’ve got some yummy chewables for kids and for the grown-ups, Phloe Biotics not only contains the beneficial fibre, enzymes and prebiotics from the kiwifruit, it also contains specific probiotics to help boost the population of healthy flora.

Gut Immunity

It’s well known that pregnancy can change a women’s bowel motility, but have you ever wondered why? This article reveals some of the ways you can help keep things moving during pregnancy.

Pregnancy – Healthy Bowel Movements 
It’s well known that pregnancy can change a women’s bowel motility, but have you ever wondered why? Is there anything that can be done to prevent this from happening, or at least help when it does?
Slow bowel movement usually occurs in women during the 1st and 2nd trimester of pregnancy. For some, it may be the first time they experience it, and the common reason is usually hormonal changes.
During pregnancy, women produce higher levels of progesterone hormone. Progesterone plays a very important role during pregnancy, and levels steadily rise throughout the pregnancy until it reaches its maximum level usually just before labour occurs.
How does all this progesterone affect bowel movements? It’s pretty simple, science has shown that progesterone causes bowel muscles to relax, causing food and waste to move slower through the colon. However, a 2013 clinical study showed that an increase in oestrogen inhibited muscle contractility in the colon. So, whether it is rising progesterone or oestrogen levels, we can safely say that hormonal changes in women during pregnancy can induce constipation.
Another cause of slow bowel movement can be due to the uterus expanding, taking up valuable space normally occupied by the bowel. This may understandably lead to interference with its normal activity.
Finally, constipation may develop due to an underlying genetic predisposition, inappropriate diet (such as not enough fibre and fluids) or a side effect from taking iron supplementation. Let’s also not forget that some women may exercise less for various reasons during pregnancy, and they are possibly experiencing more stress than usual. Both the lack of exercise and increased stress levels can play havoc on healthy bowel movements.
Here are some suggestions to help keep things moving during pregnancy:
<ol>
<li>Exercise – Science says that regular moderate exercise can reduce stress and improve bowel movements. Make sure you do 30 mins gentle exercise 3 to 5 times weekly.</li>
<li>Bowel Habits – Try to maintain healthy bowel habits. Don’t ignore the urges to go. Listening to your body and following through with those urges will keep the bowels regular.</li>
<li>Diet – Make sure you eat a good mix of soluble and insoluble fibre. <a href="https://phloe.co.nz/article/fibre-fact-finder">Click on this link to find out more.</a></li>
<li>Hydration – It’s common knowledge that drinking plenty of fluids can help digestion and fluid requirements increase during pregnancy, especially during through the 3rd trimester but it can also be with foods that are high in moisture content such as yoghurt, soups, milk, stews, fruit and vegetables. You need about 3 litres a day (from food and drinks). Also try reducing salty foods such as preserved and cured meats, cheese like feta or foods with high contents of cheese such as pizza.</li>
<li>Bitters – Bitter foods and herbs such as lemon juice, leafy salad greens, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and dandelion root tea can help. Bitters stimulate the taste buds promoting digestive function and secretions which help the flow of bile and subsequently bowel motility.</li>
<li>Meditate – Reduce your stress levels by meditating at least 10 minutes a day. If you are not sure how, there are plenty of guided meditations online and many books to learn how.</li>
<li>Iron supplements – Make sure you use readily absorbed iron such as carbonyl iron.</li>
<li>Phloe Bowel Health – Phloe Bowel Health capsules and chewable tablets can be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Taken alongside a healthy diet, Phloe contains beneficial fibre, enzymes and prebiotics that feed healthy bacteria within the digestive system. These gently normalise bowel movements without urgency, and also help with gas, bloating and digestive discomfort.</li>
</ol>
Pregnancy can be a challenging time for most women, and it’s the little things that can make a tremendous difference to overall comfort and health. We hope this gives that little bit of relief and please feel free to chat to one of our Naturopaths if you have any questions. You can contact them on info@phloe.co.nz.

Pregnancy – Healthy Bowel Movements

It’s that time of the year to start sowing seeds and planting seedlings for your summer veges and fruit. We thought you might like to know what to plant to help with your bowel function and to build a healthy digestive system.

When it comes to planting for healthy bowels, we’re looking for food that is high in fibre, also known as roughage. Fibre is found exclusively in plant foods and is among their other health benefits, such as vitamins and minerals. 
Dietary fibre can be separated as soluble and insoluble fibre and fibre rich plants usually contain both.
Soluble fibre &#8211; This type of fibre dissolves in water when it enters the stomach and intestines where it then changes into a gel-like substance. This softens stools making for easy transition. 
Soluble fibre can be found in foods like oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, carrots, barley and psyllium. 
Insoluble fibre – Insoluble fibre does not dissolve in water and tends to remain the same as it moves through the digestive tract. It adds bulk to stools, helping to pass solids out more easily. 
Insoluble fibre can be found in foods like wholegrains, root vegetables, fruit with edible seeds, beans, pulses and lentils, nuts and seeds.
What you plant into your vege patch this year can make a big difference to your digestion, especially if you take the time and care into what you grow. So here’s FIVE of our favourite ‘regular bowel’ foods that can be planted now: 
Green beans 
Beans are very high in fibre and have a great balance of soluble and insoluble fibre, both of which help the food keep moving through the intestines. 
TIP: Green beans are frost-sensitive, so make sure you plant once the danger of frost has passed. Make sure you plant them in a sunny spot too – they like to have 6 to 8 hours of sun each day.
Rhubarb 
Both rhubarb’s fibre content and natural laxative properties support regularity. Rhubarb also contains a compound called sennoside A, which softens stools and supports bowel movements. 
TIP: Choose a spot in full sun. If your rhubarb starts flowering there’s something wrong – they’re either short of water or food.
Kumara 
Aside from being very nutritious and having plenty of vitamins and minerals, they contain a good amount of fibre. The fibre found in sweet potatoes is mostly insoluble and includes a few specific types, such as cellulose, lignin, and pectin. 
TIP: Give your kumara plants plenty of space. As the vines grow, lift the foliage so more energy goes into growing the tuber and not the leaves.
Spinach 
Spinach is chock full of nutrients such as vitamin A, C and K, and folic acid, iron and calcium. It contains insoluble fibre, so combined with all those nutrients, spinach is great bowel support. 
TIP: Spinach needs cool conditions and may seed in hot weather. It loves to grow next to strawberries.
Berries 
Berries are tasty and easy to eat so take your pick &#8211; raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries &#8211; all are full of soluble fibre and super high in antioxidants. 
TIP: Berries need to be in full sun for flavour and away from strong winds. A north facing wall is a good option.
So much of our nourishment depends on the healthy passage of food through our digestive tract. Without fibre, it is impossible for digestion to take place in a balanced way. A high intake of veges and fruit is the key to good bowel health.
Happy gardening!

Your Spring Garden- Planting for Healthy Bowels

Gas and bloating an issue? Join Phloe Naturopath Jane Cronin as she discusses why you might like to try Phloe Biotics. Phloe Biotics has the goodness of kiwifruit plus a probiotic boost with one billion beneficial bacteria, helping you feel good on the inside and out!

Join Phloe Naturopath Jane Cronin as she discusses why you might like to try Phloe Biotics. Phloe Biotics has the goodness of kiwifruit plus a probiotic boost with one billion beneficial bacteria, helping you feel good on the inside and out!

Gas and bloating an issue?

Phloe Naturopath Jane Cronin takes you through her daily routine of a high fibre smoothie that helps provide your daily fibre needs and supports great bowel health. And it's delicious!

Naturopath Jane Cronin presents a natural smoothie to help with bowel health

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Phloe Smoothie Banner

Delicious Daily Fibre

Phloe naturopath Jane Cronin shows how to increase your daily fibre and boost your bowel health with a delicious smoothie.

Delicious High Fibre Smoothie

Packed with goodness, this hearty soup also helps to support healthy digestion and regular bowel movements...

Packed with goodness, this hearty soup also helps to support healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. The tomato and lentil combination are a great source of fibre, which is essential for anyone that experiences sluggish bowels and the added spices are good for gut health too.
Bon appetit!
Hearty Tomato and Lentil Soup
Serves 4
2 tbsp olive oil 
1 onion, finely diced 
3 cloves garlic, finely diced 
1 tsp cumin seeds 
2 stalks celery, chopped 
1 carrot, chopped 
1 tsp ground coriander 
1 tsp smoked paprika 
1 tsp sweet paprika 
½ tsp turmeric 
small pinch of chilli flakes (optional) 
2x 400g cans diced tomatoes 
2 tbsp tomato paste 
1 cup red lentils, rinsed 
4 cups water 
1 – 2 tsp honey or raw sugar (optional) 
1 – 2 tsp Himalayan salt 
Black pepper
Instructions:
<ol>
<li>Heat olive oil and stir in onions. Sauté until clear.</li>
<li>Add garlic, cumin seeds, celery and carrot and cook until tender.</li>
<li>Add coriander, paprika, turmeric and chilli flakes, and cook for about 1 minute to bring the flavours out.</li>
<li>Add canned tomatoes, tomato paste, lentils and water. Cover with a lid and bring to the boil.</li>
<li>Simmer for 30 – 35 minutes without the lid, until lentils are tender. Add small amounts of water if needed.</li>
<li>Add honey/sugar, salt and pepper to taste</li>
<li>Serve with sourdough or your favourite multigrain bread</li>
</ol>
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Hearty Tomato & Lentil Soup Recipe

Hearty Tomato and Lentil Soup Recipe

Did you know that sluggish bowels can be helped with exercise? It’s a super easy option to help give you back a sense of control for regular daily bowel movements...

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Yoga 5

Get Those Bowel Muscles Moving!

Get those Bowel Muscles Moving!

The holidays are a time for relaxation and enjoyment, for socialising with friends and family and celebration. Where this might be good for the soul, the digestive system may have not fared so well….   

A Fresh start for Digestive Health
The holidays are a time for relaxation and enjoyment, for socialising with friends and family and celebration. Where this might be good for the soul, the digestive system may have not fared so well.   An abundance of rich foods, sugary treats and perhaps an extra festive drink or two can upset the balance of gut flora and can put pressure on the stomach and the liver.  This may result in over acidity or reflux after eating, indigestion or perhaps gas and bloating after eating.  You might also find that your bowel habits have changed.  Perhaps they are no longer a daily occurrence or stools are harder to pass.  Others may find that they are getting loose bowels or swing between constipation and diarrhoea.
Since the digestive system is key to health and vitality, it may be a good time to put things back in order after the festive season.  Here are some easy suggestions to help put your digestive system back in order.
Increase fibre
Dietary fibre is amazing for our digestive system.  It feeds our good bacteria, exfoliates our digestive tract, helps soften and bulk stools, so they are easier to pass and helps the body with the removal of toxins. It is found in grains, nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetables, so increasing it in our daily diet is simple. Make sure you have at least 5 handfuls of fresh fruit and vegetables a day. Phloe also contains fibre, so can help in this area.
Get the good bugs
One of the reasons for regular gas and bloating can be an imbalance of our digestive flora.  At times our good bacteria can be overwhelmed by less beneficial yeasts and bacteria, which consume the food we eat and ferment them to produce unpleasant gases.  Probiotics can be one way of increasing the population of good bacteria that help crowd out less beneficial yeasts and bacterial species. Phloe Biotics contains all the goodness of regular Phloe plus probiotics to support normal gut flora balance.
Switch on your digestive juices
Often if we get bloated or have indigestion, we might need support with our stomach function. Our stomach is naturally acidic and is one of the first places to start breaking down our foods. It is important, especially for breaking down our fatty foods.   A natural way to switch on our stomach acid is to drink a squeeze of lemon juice in water in the mornings or to have a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in warm water before our main meal.  These naturally acidic foods also encourage the liver to produce bile that helps with digestion and supports digestive enzyme production. Phloe Zyme contains all the goodness of Phloe plus digestive enzymes to support easy digestion.
Hydrate
The digestive system uses fluids in many ways for optimal function. It is needed to create our stomach acid and digestive enzymes. Water is needed in every cell of the body, including for healthy digestive system cells. Water is drawn into the digestive system to help soften stools to make them easier to pass.  Our choice of drinks can therefore affect our digestive system.  Caffeine and alcohol can be dehydrating, so should be excluded when repairing the digestive system or taken in moderation.  Water is very important, so make sure you have your 8 glasses a day. There are many herbal teas that are caffeine free if you are looking for something hydrating as a warm drink. Many of these herbal teas have calming digestive functions such as chamomile, peppermint or fennel tea, which is a bonus.  Also, a piece of ginger added to boiling water can make a warming and digestively soothing drink.
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Ease the digestive burden
There are some foods that our body has to work harder to break down than others. Junk foods and overly fatty foods fall into this category. If you are trying to heal the digestive system try to cut back on the takeaways and choose simple meals with a large side of vegetables.
Some of us might also be aware that certain foods lead us to feeling uncomfortable.  Many people struggle with bloating after gluten or dairy containing foods.  Others might suffer after eating onions, garlic or spicy food.  Whilst you are trying to restore your digestive health, try to eliminate any foods that cause aggravation to give the digestive system time to get back on track.

A Fresh start for Digestive Health

During and prior to going on holiday, we tend to experience particularly stressful times, what with juggling our preparations for work while we’re gone, travel plans and social gatherings. Not to mention treating ourselves with delicious foods and drinks that we tend to avoid in our usual everyday life.  Unfortunately for some, particularly those with sensitive tummy’s, being on holiday can affect our bowel function. It can be distressing, especially when you’re out socialising with family and friends or long-distance travelling.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS WITH HEALTHY GUT FLORA

Happy Holidays with Healthy Gut Flora

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Kids, like adults, should be having regular bowel motions. Constipation is quite common amongst kids and there are a variety of reasons as to why they could be blocked up. The good news is, there are numerous daily tips you can use to make going to the toilet easier for them. 

Keeping Kids Regular
Kids, like adults, should be having regular bowel motions. Constipation is quite common amongst kids and there are a variety of reasons as to why they could be blocked up. The good news is, there are numerous daily tips you can use to make going to the toilet easier for them.
But firstly, what actually is normal?
Most kids have a bowel movement every day or every second day, some more than once a day. It’s important to take into account that bowel habits vary from child to child.
Ideally, once a day is the sign of a healthy bowel, providing they have good consistency. Their stool should be like a soft sausage.
If however, they are a bit more like small hard pepples or a hard, large sausage they are most likely not going to the loo as often as they should.
They also might be showing signs of not wanting to go to the toilet (tears or tantrums) as it could be a little difficult or uncomfortable for them. This is a sign that you may need to consider whether they are drinking enough water or eating enough fibre.
Here’s a few signs to look out for:
<ul>
<li>Small hard lumps like pebbles</li>
<li>Hard, large stool</li>
<li>No bowel movements for 3 or more days</li>
<li>Crying or pain during bowel movements</li>
<li>Blood on the stool (due to a potential tear on the skin)</li>
<li>Tummy pain</li>
</ul>
The sooner you can catch on to these signs the better, as it can become a vicious cycle once children have a bad relationship with the toilet room.
If your child does not have a tummy bug and their stool has been a little mushy or watery on a regular basis, it may be a sign that they have a food intolerance such as dairy or gluten.
How can you influence a regular, daily bowel movement?
<ul>
<li>Establish a toilet time &#8211; try to work out when your child naturally needs to go and encourage them to sit on the toilet for about 5 mins. Help them to relax &#8211; sing, colour, read stories. This will aid with training their bowel to relax at this time. Routine is the key!</li>
<li>Keep them active every day</li>
<li>Healthy eating habits –Reduce their intake of ready-made food and takeaways, sugar, refined grains (pasta, white bread) and processed meats and try to integrate more fruit, veges, wholegrain breads, beans and simple, unprocessed meats</li>
<li>Make sure they drink plenty of water &#8211; you can measure their ideal daily water intake by multiplying their weight by 30 (30 x 25kg=750ml)</li>
<li>Food sensitivities – check for food intolerances and change their diet accordingly. Common foods are milk, wheat, egg and soy</li>
<li>Stress and emotional tension – a relaxed, happy child is more likely to have regular bowel movements</li>
<li>Healthy intestinal flora – keep their healthy gut microflora in check. Antibiotic use and food sensitivities lead to imbalances so daily probiotic supplementation may really help</li>
<li>Find a food or food group that makes them go. It might be something like berries, cucumber, celery or stewed/fresh pear. It’s ideal to find this out when they are young so it can be your ‘go to’ when needed</li>
<li>Try Phloe Kids Bowel Health, a yummy tasting natural bowel health supplement made from New Zealand kiwifruit that helps keep you regular. Your kids are sure to love these!</li>
</ul>

Keeping Kids Regular and Constipation

Gas.  If reading that word conjures sensations of uncomfortable fullness in your body where your clothes feel too tight and your stomach seems twice the size, then you’re not alone in having experienced digestive discomfort.

Gas.  If reading that word conjures sensations of uncomfortable fullness in your body where your clothes feel too tight and your stomach seems twice the size, then you’re not alone in having experienced digestive discomfort.
Intestinal gas is a normal by-product of the digestive process and we normally pass this gas without much effort.  It usually comprises odourless gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and occasionally methane.  The mixture of gases we each produce is as unique as the microbial population that makes up our personal intestinal microflora, with different types of gut bacteria producing different gases.  Less than 1% of intestinal gas is made up of sulphur-containing odour-producing molecules, most often hydrogen sulphide, but even concentrations as low as one-half part per billion can be detected by a human producing that characteristic nose wrinkling expression of distaste!
Gas is produced by either ingesting air with the food and fluids we consume, or as a ‘waste’ product by our intestinal microbes who are processing the food we eat, breaking down further those often difficult-to-digest food particles from complex carbohydrates (sugars, starches and fibrous cellulose – the tough outer walls of plants).  Upper digestive gas is passed via the mouth as a burp (also known as belching), and lower digestive gas is passed as flatulence (also known as …!).  Ordinarily, we produce about 500ml to 1.8L of gas daily, which we pass on average 12 to 20 times a day.  Fortunately, most of this is passed at night when we sleep.
Typically, we might begin to notice a problem with gas towards the end of the day when the stomach looks and feels uncomfortably distended. Or it might be a feeling of passing gas noticeably more frequently – either as burps or wind.  This increased distension of the digestive tract can lead to an increase in the normal contractions that propel food along its length and may lead to painful cramps.
To relieve the problem of excess gas there are a number of tips that can help:
<ul>
<li>Reducing consumption of carbonated beverages</li>
<li>Avoid drinking through straws</li>
<li>Avoid chewing gum</li>
<li>Slowing down when eating or drinking</li>
<li>Try Phloe Zyme</li>
</ul>
To reduce bloating and the uncomfortable sensation of abdominal distension, the first place to start is with digestive enzymes.  A lot of times bloating is due to partially digested food being worked on by gut bacteria. Supplementing with additional digestive enzymes can help support a more efficient break down of food and better absorption of nutrients. Try Phloe Zyme, it has all the benefits of regular Phloe, being natural and containing Zyactinase, a unique kiwifruit extract which has seven clinical trials to back it’s efficacy, and it also has added digestive enzymes to help the healthy break down of different food groups in the digestive system.
It might also be necessary to avoid those problem foods that trigger bloating.  Common culprits include beans, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, dairy products containing lactose, onions, leeks and garlic, fruits, and starchy foods (wheat, other grains, potatoes, corn) etc. What may be a problem food for one may be fine for another!

Beat The Bloat

When looking at bowel health and constipation one word that makes a frequent appearance is fibre. Sounds great, but how does this translate into your everyday diet and what are some other top tips on fibre sources and benefits?

When looking at bowel health and constipation one word that makes a frequent appearance is fibre. Sounds great, but how does this translate into your everyday diet and what are some other top tips on fibre sources and benefits?
In fact not all fibre is the same and there are actually two kinds of fibre to be found in our diet. There is insoluble fibre and soluble fibre and both have their benefits in the digestive system.
Insoluble fibre
This is the mostly commonly known fibre that provides roughage from sources like wheat bran, nuts, beans, kiwifruit, prunes and vegetables. It is called insoluble fibre as it does not break down in the digestive system. This is why it helps add bulk to stools, which aids transition through the bowels. Due to it&#8217;s rough texture, this fibre also acts like a loofah and has a gentle exfoliating effect on the walls of the digestive system. This helps spring clean our insides by sloughing off old cells. It also acts as food for our good bacteria that help maintain the digestive system and helps them produce short-chain fatty acids; linked with health promoting effects such as cardiovascular health.
One negative effect of insoluble fibre is when it is consumed in high amounts it can cause some people to become bloated and gassy.
Soluble fibre
This type of fibre is soluble in water and dissolves to form a sort of gel. You may have seen it if you have ever soaked oats or linseeds overnight. Other good sources of soluble fibre include apples, peas, kiwifruit, prunes, beans, citrus fruits, carrots and barley. One of the positive benefits of soluble fibre is that it helps slow down the absorption of sugar, which helps the body to maintain a healthy sugar balance. It also helps absorb and remove excess bad cholesterol, toxins and heavy metals from the digestive system.
In terms of digestive health, soluble fibre has a balancing effect. If stools are too loose then it absorbs the water and helps firm them. With constipation it helps add bulk to the stool, but also the gel like substance of soluble fibre, when combined with water, helps smooth the passage of the stool through the digestive system. This is why drinking water is so important for digestive health.
Ideally maintaining a healthy balance of these types of fibres will give the best results for a happy, healthy digestive system. Try Phloe as it&#8217;s natural kiwifruit formula contains both soluble and insoluble fibre, along with prebiotics to feed beneficial bacteria.

Fibre Fact Finder

We are probably all familiar with the term the ‘gut-brain connection’ which refers to how our mental and emotional well-being is affected by the function of our gut. But did you know this connection is a two-way street? Stress – those feelings of tension generated by challenging events - has a massive and often detrimental impact on our digestive function.

We are probably all familiar with the term the ‘gut-brain connection’ which refers to how our mental and emotional well-being is affected by the function of our gut. But did you know this connection is a two-way street?
<blockquote>Stress – those feelings of tension generated by challenging events &#8211; has a massive and often detrimental impact on our digestive function.</blockquote>
Acute, immediate feelings of stress can generate short-term changes in our digestion. You might experience this as a change in appetite, or maybe nerves causing you to feel nauseous. But longer-term, chronic stress has a different impact, generally slowing the whole digestive process down leading to sluggishness.
Our nervous system controls our bodies&#8217; interaction with the world around us. Part of it is under our conscious control – we can move, speak and physically interact as we wish.  But the other part of our nervous system is under involuntary control – and just as well, you wouldn’t want to have to remember to breathe when you were absorbed in a task!
This involuntary part of the nervous system is called the autonomic nervous system and this is further divided into two branches – the sympathetic and the parasympathetic.  The sympathetic nervous system we know best as the ‘fight or flight’ response and this is the system that is activated by stress.  The parasympathetic branch is the ‘rest and digest’ arm responsible for calming the body down after the danger has passed and engaging in general housekeeping when at rest.
In times gone by, stress was an evolutionary response that kept us alive.  See a lion? The body responded by creating an internal alarm. A cascade of hormones and chemicals flood our system, increasing our heart rate, and sending blood to the muscles of our arms and legs so we could run for our lives. In that situation, spending time digesting your last meal would have been rather pointless if you didn’t succeed in escaping the lion!
Today, our bodies still responds to stress as if we saw lions everywhere, causing a disruption to our digestive process. It reduces our flow of digestive enzymes and secretions, reduces the rate at which food moves through our gut, upsets the permeability of our digestive tract and the balance of our innate gut microflora, as well as increasing the sensitivity of our digestive tract. Our body loses stored nutrients and becomes less able to absorb replacement nutrients from food.
All of which eventually leads to progressive and ongoing dysfunction and an increased need for digestive support.  Reducing your exposure to stress or improving your adaption to it will provide enormous benefits to your body as a whole. Your digestion, in particular, will thank you for it.

The gut-wrenching effects of stress 

We are probably all familiar with the term the ‘gut-brain connection’ which refers to how our mental and emotional well-being is affected by the function of our gut. But did you know this connection is a two-way street?

Top Story: The gut-wrenching effects of stress

The Gut-Wrenching Effects of Stress | Phloe®

When our digestive system is working at its best we are blissfully unaware of all the complex processes that are being carried out after we have finished a meal.  However, if things are not working well we may become aware of gurgles, discomfort and bloating. So how does digestion work and what can go wrong?

When our digestive system is working at its best we are blissfully unaware of all the complex processes that are being carried out after we have finished a meal.  However, if things are not working well we may become aware of gurgles, discomfort and bloating. So how does digestion work and what can go wrong?
<blockquote>The whole point of our digestive system is to break down the food we eat into smaller nutrients that can be absorbed in our digestive system.</blockquote>
For example carbohydrates become simple sugars that pass easily though the walls of the digestive system and into the blood stream.  Food is shuttled through the digestive system using mechanical processes that gradually push it through, so it has time to break down.  This break down involves a cocktail of chemicals produced by the body, triggered by a number of stimuli.
The first trigger occurs even before we put any food in our mouth.  The sight and smell of food starts the production of saliva; hence food really is being mouth-watering!  In this saliva is an enzyme called amylase that is the first chemical to start breaking down carbohydrates in the mouth.
As food moves down the digestive tract it activates stretch receptors in the digestive walls, preparing the stomach ready to receive food.  This causes stomach acid to be released from the stomach wall that will help to kill any ingested bugs, but also signals the release of an enzyme, pepsin, that starts the break down of proteins.
When food leaves the stomach it is in a more liquid form and is rather acidic as it has been mixed with stomach acid. Our body is amazing, so to counteract the acidity, our pancreas creates bicarbonate which it sends to our small intestines. It also sends a collection of digestive enzymes such as lipase, amylase and protease to help break down a whole spectrum of foods.  The final chemical that joins the mix is bile, a substance produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder. This helps to emulsify or break up fats. A bit like dish washing liquid helps break up the fats to help us clean our dishes.
<blockquote>Overall this is an amazing complex process to break down food for nutrient absorption. However, as we age, our digestive activity declines.</blockquote>
Our production of digestive chemicals slows and digestive absorption becomes less effective.  Also digestive motility can slow, which can lead to sluggish digestion.  Other factors such as food irritations can also cause disruptions to our well-oiled machinery; as can stress and we may feel digestive discomfort when we eat.  This is where digestive enzymes can be useful.  When taken before a meal they can provide support for the normal break down of foods, helping to top up the ones we naturally produce.

A cocktail of natural chemicals for smooth digestion

When our digestive system is working at its best we are blissfully unaware of all the complex processes that are being carried out after we have finished a meal. So how does digestion work and what can go wrong?

A Cocktail Of Natural Chemicals For Smooth Digestion | Phloe®

It is common knowledge that water is essential for life, but it may not be the first thing you would associate with good functioning digestion and bowel movements.  However, dehydration is often a reason for sluggish digestion and dry, hard, difficult to pass stools.  

It is common knowledge that water is essential for life, but it may not be the first thing you would associate with good functioning digestion and bowel movements.  However, dehydration is often a reason for sluggish digestion and dry, hard, difficult to pass stools.
<blockquote>Fluids are extremely important for the good working of our digestive system, especially for the mucosal linings.</blockquote>
The cells along the whole digestive tract secrete a mucous, which is a gel like fluid made up of around 95% water.  This mucous is food for our good bacteria that help support our digestive health and good bowel motility.  It is also quite slippery which helps food move through our digestive system and stools to pass out easily through the bowels.  So, you can see that if we don’t drink enough water we won’t make enough of this slippery mucous to create easy passage through our digestive system.
Another important mechanism for moving food and waste through our digestive system is peristalsis.  This is where the muscles and walls of the digestive system flex pushing things along.  Water is important for keeping the walls smooth and flexible, so when we are dehydrated they may contract slower and our bowels become slow and sluggish.
Finally it is important to understand that water is reclaimed in the large intestines.  The amount sucked back into the body depends on the water levels within the body.  If we are low on water the body tries to take back as much as possible.  This can leave our stools dry, which makes them harder to pass.
<blockquote>It looks like an easy solution to support sluggish bowels would be to increase your fluid intake.  However, not all fluids are equal in their hydration capacity.</blockquote>
Drinks like coffee and tea contain caffeine which works as a diuretic, which can lead to increased water being passed as urine.  Water and non-caffeine containing herbal teas are ideal and the suggestion is around 8 glasses a day.  Caffeine drinks are fine, just in moderation.   Fruit and vegetables are also water containing and have the added advantage of containing fibre, so they help the digestive system in two ways.

The importance of hydration on bowel motility

It is common knowledge that water is essential for life, but it may not be the first thing you would associate with good functioning digestion and bowel movements.

The Importance of Hydration on Bowel Motility | Phloe®

Photos from PHLOE BOWEL Health's post

PHLOE BOWEL Health

Dietary supplements are not a replacement for a balanced diet. Always read the label and use as directed. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional.

MEDITATION AND BOWEL HEALTH

This is a great high-fibre way to start your day. Oats and apple are a great source of soluble fibre that helps with healthy cholesterol and blood sugar, removes toxins and feeds your good bacteria. They also help to keep you regular. Ginger and cinnamon help to warm the digestive system ready for t...

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Phloe^® is a natural, gentle and effective way to support your bowel health.

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