Organic Plant Protein with Prebiotics & Probiotics

You have literally trillions of bacteria living in your gut, but you know what? When it comes to the gut microbiome, more is more. Bacteria are essential to your gut health, period. They help break up and digest food, maintain overall gut health and support the immune system, too. The more good bacteria hanging out in your intestines, the less room there is for harmful bacteria that can cause discomfort. What are probiotics and why are they important? That’s where probiotics come in: they’re food or supplements that contain the types of bacteria you want on your team! Some of the most common ones are called Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, but there are many different species and strains of probiotics, with different effects on human health. Some of the more well-researched benefits of taking probiotics include: Improving mild gut disorder symptoms Relieving gas and bloating Promoting balance in the gut microbiome Aiding the growth of beneficial bacteria after using antibiotics What are prebiotics and what do they do? Yes, you read right: there are prebiotics too. And what a difference does one letter make! Prebiotics are types of fibre that our body isn't able to digest. Instead, they serve as fuel for probiotic bacteria. They boast health benefits such as balancing blood sugar levels and aiding in the absorption of bone-strengthening minerals. Chicory root, garlic, leafy greens, legumes and bananas are all great dietary sources of prebiotics. Probiotics + prebiotics = ? Have you done the mental math yet? If so, you may have noticed that it’s a great idea to take probiotics and prebiotics together! Supplements that combine both are known as synbiotics. Combined, probiotics and prebiotics encourage the growth and survival of the probiotic bacteria you’re taking in. This maximizes the health benefits you would receive from taking probiotics or prebiotics alone. Other than the gut health benefits provided by probiotics discussed earlier, taking a synbiotic supplement can help with: Immunity: a balanced gut microbiome is an important element in ensuring your immunity is in working order, helping condition the immune system to different types of bacteria. Synbiotics seem to also help reduce intestinal and overall inflammation, according to a few animal studies. Heart health: Synbiotics may have an effect on how our body metabolizes fats, with potential benefits in controlling cholesterol levels. Making sure to include probiotic and prebiotic foods in your diet is a great way to keep your gut microbiome happy and balanced. If you need a helping hand (or millions of tiny ones!), consider a synbiotic supplement, like Organika’s Probiotic + Prebiotic powder, for an easy daily boost to your gut health! For a probiotic that can help you out with bacteria-caused infections, check out our new Probiotic + Cranberry!

Is there a vegan option for collagen supplementation? Is Collagen Vegan? Collagen is the most plentiful form of protein found in our bodies that acts as the “glue” that holds everything together. However, when it comes to collagen supplementation, it’s typically sourced from bovine (cows) or marine (fish), meaning collagen is not vegan. Can Collagen be Vegan? Since collagen is sourced from animals, such as cows and fish, it cannot be vegan. However, the good news is, for anyone following a vegan lifestyle, there are ways to naturally boost your collagen production without missing out on collagen’s benefits. Research has shown that several foods that contain the amino acids crucial to making collagen, which are: glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline... these can all help boost collagen production. These are found in plant-based foods such as legumes and soy. As well, both Vitamin C and Zinc are known to help boost collagen production, so eating foods high in these vitamins and minerals, such as nuts and seeds, fruits, leafy greens, and whole grains are beneficial as well. Other ways to help maximize your collagen production are to limit stress, wear SPF in the sun, and get adequate sleep. Seems simple enough, right? Maximize your Natural Collagen Production If you really want to maximize your natural collagen production, Organika’s Plant-Based Collagen Booster may be for you. It’s made with seven synergistic plant ingredients, providing antioxidants to maximize your natural collagen production and protect your existing collagen from breaking down. Some benefits of supplementing with our Plant-Based Collagen Booster: Promotes natural collagen production Provides antioxidants to inhibit collagen degradation Provides vitamin C for collagen support Source of amino acids glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, the main building blocks of collagen in the human body Did you know? Our Plant-Based Collagen Booster is the first to use ginseng and carrot peptides, which mimic the role of traditional collagen peptides, and are scientifically proven to boost type 1 collagen production? With our Plant-Based Collagen Booster, you can maximize your body’s natural collagen production and glow from the inside out. Want to give our Plant-Based Collagen Booster a try? Check out this delicious Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie with Plant-Based Collagen Booster recipe. References: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/collagen/#:~:text=In%20food%2C%20collagen%20is%20naturally,production%20in%20our%20own%20bodies.

What’s the difference? Which one do I need? The word collagen and protein do go together, but there is sometimes confusion around if they are the same thing.They are indeed different. They both cannot be consumed for the same reason; they serve different purposes. Let’s dive in... Collagen vs. Protein Powder Although collagen is a protein, it is not a complete protein. That means collagen does not have all the nine essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein). Protein powders serve the purpose of being consumed as part of your daily protein intake; therefore, it is a complete protein. Collagen serves a specific function, hence it contains specific amino acids, such as glycine and proline. What does that mean? It means, collagen isn’t consumed for the same purpose as protein powder. It is taken specifically as a function/benefit to replenish the lost collagen in the body. Whereas protein powder counts towards your daily macronutrients. Both are important. Why Use Collagen Powder Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the human body, in fact, there are multiple types of collagen. It is a structural protein that allows your skin to have elasticity, muscles to have buoyancy, joints and connective tissues to have flexibility, hair to have strength. However, as you age the amount of collagen your body produces and has decreases. That is why collagen supplementation is key. You cannot get enough amino acids to make more collagen from the conventional ways of eating protein. This is because collagen resides in ligaments, skin, bones, cartilage, and tendons... which are not consumed regularly. Also, it’s unlikely that you will consume enough glycine, for example, for your body to synthesize new collagen on its own. When to use collagen or protein powder If you are looking to increase your protein intake, build muscle mass, you may want to add protein powders into smoothies or recipes to help you reach your macronutrient goals. However, if you are not in that boat, you may not need to supplement with all the amino acids to rebuild new muscle. If you want to improve your joints, muscle recovery, hair, skin, and nails... then collagen is your best bet. With a protein powder, you get all amino acids to reach protein needs. With collagen, you are supplementing what you've lost so that you can improve and enhance your longevity and feel good from the inside out. And yes... you can use both. Just be sure to manage how much protein you are taking in one day to not exceed your daily maximums. For more questions on your nutritional needs, please contact us at care@organika.com and we would be happy to guide your or put you in touch with an RHN.