The Covid-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down, bringing about an unprecedented new world order. We are all plagued by uncertainty, knowing that things will never be the same as they were before. However, there are things we can do to stay in control.

The World Digestive Health Day 2020 is a reminder for us to take care of our gut. We have all heard of the saying health is wealth. If the body is a temple, then the gut is the foundation of that temple.

Hippocrates once said that all disease begins in the gut. Housing trillions of both good and bad bacteria, the composition of bacteria in the gut environment, known as the microbiome, greatly affects both physical and mental well-being.

Understanding Gut Bacteria

The good bacteria known as probiotics, work with our cells to keep us healthy. Apart from discouraging and fighting off harmful, invading organisms, the good bacteria also work to support our digestion, nutrient absorption and immune system.

Studies have also indicated that mental health and emotions are closely linked to gut health. We have already established that good gut health is the cornerstone of good health, but what is the key to good gut health?

Just as how Malaysians have adapted to the new normal of social distancing and the wearing of face masks, we need to take the necessary steps to maintain good gut health. Photo: Cotra Enterprise Sdn Bhd

The term probiotics is nothing new today. Thanks to its function of restoring gut bacteria to healthy levels, probiotics have increased in popularity in recent years.

In 2017, a local landmark clinical research conducted by Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia titled Modulation Of Intestinal Dysbiosis In Patients With Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Using Lactobacillus-Containing Cultured Milk Drink and published in Clinical Gastroenterology in 2018, demonstrated the efficacy of two probiotic strains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus paracasei which are found in Vitagen, to have a positive impact on gut health and the immune system.

Statistically speaking, 96% of respondents showed significant improvement in relieving constipation while 45% of respondents required a shorter time to defecate. The study also showed that by consuming the probiotics contained in Vitagen, the body produces less pro-inflammatory chemicals, which reduces inflammation and enhances the immune system.

Reality Check To Managing Our Lifestyles

It goes without saying that living a healthy lifestyle is our single best defence against harmful bacteria and viruses. Every part of the body can benefit from a healthy diet, sufficient sleep and a positive, stress-free environment all of which help promote a stronger immune system that stems from the gut.

Malaysians are constantly surrounded by unhealthy food options, so it is crucial to boost gut health with probiotics and foods that will naturally help build up our immune systems. Photo: Cotra Enterprise Sdn Bhd

However, it is not always easy to stay healthy. We are all guilty of excessively eating unhealthy foods, sometimes on a regular basis. Add a sedentary lifestyle to the mix and it is likely that you are increasing your risk of developing various digestive disorders or diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and many non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and heart disease.

For many, the pandemic is a wake-up call to start taking health seriously. We need to stop abusing our bodies and start boosting our gut health with probiotics and foods that will naturally help build up our immune systems.

Daily consumption of probiotics is easy with Vitagen. It is delicious to drink and contains billions of live probiotic cultures that are clinically proven to be beneficial to gut health. It is recommended that you take at least two bottles of Vitagen daily for best results.

Vitagen contains two beneficial probiotic strains to boost gut health and help prevent disease. Photo: Cotra Enterprise Sdn Bhd

This new normal that we are facing may last for quite some time. We have all been inundated with enough information on the seriousness of this pandemic, but how many of us are actually doing something about it from a health standpoint? We need to ponder this question.

In every crisis, there is opportunity. We have two options: one is to go back to our old, unhealthy ways and take life for granted. The second is to re-evaluate our habits and cultivate new, healthy ones that will stay with us for life. Without our health, we are nothing, and that is something that should never be taken for granted.

For more information, visit vitagen.com.my.

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Taking Care Of Your Gut Is Key To Stronger Immunity - The Star Online