What do your stomach and your skin have in common? They’re connected via the gut-skin axis, which is powered by your gut microbiome. Skin is often referred to as the ‘mirror to the gut’, because it’s such a strong indicator of what’s happening inside the body. Like when you have an allergic reaction to a certain food, and your body reacts by coming out in hives. Your gut microbiome is sending a signal via the skin to let you know something is wrong.

Inflammation in the gut = inflammation on the skin. Studies have also shown that dysbiosis (an imbalance of gut bacteria) can lead to inflammatory conditions including rosacea, dermatitis and acne. So, how can we get the gut-skin axis in sync? Taking probiotics can help by balancing the gut microbiome’s good bacteria. Over time, you will start to notice clearer skin, reduced inflammation and less redness. It’s why we say skincare starts in the gut.

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Is good gut health the key to better sex? (Yes, yes, yes.) A healthy gut microbiome has been linked to improved libido, mood, energy and performance during sex. Some say it's the key to having a more intense orgasm. It’s because 95% of serotonin, ‘the happy hormone’ responsible for mood and desire, is made in the gut. Gut bacteria also produce essential B vitamins and balance sugar levels, both of which support the body's natural energy and stamina.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid, an amino acid that controls feelings of fear and anxiety, is another component produced in the gut. It’s known to reduce natural libido, causing a potential lull in sex drive. Keeping the gut microbiome well-fed with good gut bacteria supports the production of serotonin by ensuring good bacteria (and your mood) are in positive balance. Let’s GUT it on.

Microbes in the gut produce 400x more melatonin (sleep hormone) than the pineal gland. Melatonin production is key to regulating the natural sleep-wake cycle (a.k.a. The circadian rhythm). So if your gut health is a little off, it might be harder to drift off.

Gut bacteria affects the sleep-wake cycle and all biological functions. At night, your cortisol (the stress hormone) levels should be at their lowest for good quality sleep. When you’re having gut issues, this can cause inflammation in the body and make cortisol levels spike.

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Our immune systems are a complex web of cells that protect the body from infection. Its main job is to protect from infection, prevent illness and remove excess fluid from tissues to prevent toxin build-up.

Around 80% of the immune system lives in the gut, alongside trillions of bacteria that make up the gut microbiome. To ensure the immune system can function at an optimal level, the microbes that live there need to be well-fed. Prebiotics and probiotics are up to the task - feeding and fertilizing the good bacteria to crowd out the pathogenic bacteria (the type that can lead to illness.

Our bacterial cells and human cells need each other - working together to support our body in its daily functions. It’s why supplementing with pre and probiotics can improve our health, feeding and fertilizing healthy bacteria in the gut to support the rest of our cells.

Prebiotics are essential for feeding the good bacteria in our gut, ensuring it is a healthy and diverse environment before adding other microbes (probiotics). Think of a prebiotic as fertilizer for your gut. Taking a probiotic without a prebiotic is like trying to plant a flower in bad soil. Prebiotics are food for probiotics and so without a healthy foundation, it will wilt and die. Research suggests that prebiotics are more important than probiotics. With both in the PRE + PROBIOTIC bestselling formula, 2 capsules a day cover all bases by delivering 15 billion spores per dose to reinforce the good bacteria in your gut and support the microbiome.

Another product is DEBLOAT+ which is formulated with 17 digestive enzymes to ease digestion fast, helping to calm chronic bloating, gas and other IBS symptoms to improve your overall gut health. These enzymes help to break down specific food groups (e.g. carbs, starches, fats, etc.), supported by a trio of organic ingredients known for their anti-inflammatory properties: cinnamon, turmeric and ginger, also boasting carminative benefits, meaning they break up gas in the gastrointestinal tract and stimulate antral contractions which help food pass from one part of the gut to another.