Thank you to everyone who has participated in the July Yakult Trivia – How Much Do You Know About Yakult?

These are the 10 winners below:

1. Leo L.
2. Angelina C.
3. Paul E.
4. Claire T.
5. Maria Z.
6. Leonie D.
7. Chie H.
8. Tracy W.
9. Angelica R.
10. Peter N.

Please come back to our website again for the August entry and a chance to win the prize below!

For more information about the monthly Yakult Trivia, please refer to the blog post here – HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT YAKULT?

Thank you to everyone who has participated in the June Yakult Trivia – How Much Do You Know About Yakult?

These are the 10 winners below:

1. Sylvia P.
2. Kama M.
3. Anna N.
4. Celeste C.
5. Mandy C.
6. Jimmy L.
7. Felice J.
8. Scarlett S.
9. Shellie H
10. Paul E.

Please come back to our website again for the July entry and a chance to win the prize below!

For more information about the monthly Yakult Trivia, please refer to the blog post here – HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT YAKULT?

Since winter brings with it the continuous colder weather, we tend to become less active which can impact our immunity and gut health. So, how can we take care of our gut in winter?

Keep Yourself Warm

Our gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to temperature. A cold abdomen can upset our digestive function and cause adverse reactions such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Therefore, choosing warm drinks over cold ones and maintaining our core temperature by keeping our abdominal area warm may help reduce discomfort.

Get Yourself Moving

In winter although it is cold outside, we should keep ourselves active. Exercise is beneficial to enhance the function of digestive system. It can strengthen stomach muscle contractions that move food through digestive tract, promote the secretion of digestive juice, increase the depth and frequency of breathing, by improving the up and down movement of our diaphragm and abdominal muscles. Choosing from a variety of indoor sports or visiting a gym are good options.

Health Habits

Smoking harms the human body in many ways including the gastrointestinal tract. Smoking constricts the blood vessels in the stomach and reduces blood flow of the membrane layer of stomach, which may induce gastric disease. A moderate consumption of alcohol is also important as drinking large amounts can stimulate excessive secretion of gastric acid, which can erode and irritate our gastrointestinal lining causing pain and discomfort.

Choose What to Eat

Prioritise whole foods as fuel foods that will help keep your gut bacteria flourishing by including wholegrain bread, brown rice, oats, legumes, fruit and vegetable with skins on. In addition, a higher-fibre diet over a long period of time is a good way to help support a healthier digestive system. Individuals consuming high fibre diets are found less likely to suffer from constipation. To find out more about fibre and how it helps our digestive system, click here.

Include Probiotics

There are trillions of bacteria residing in our gastrointestinal tract. Together they help to maintain a balance in our intestinal tract. However, lifestyle factors such as poor diet, use of some antibiotics, smoking and drinking can reduce the number of beneficial bacteria in our gut and upset the balance. That’s why we need probiotics. Each bottle of Yakult contains 6.5 billion Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) strains that can reach our intestines alive, increase the number of beneficial bacteria there, to help maintain the balance in our digestive system. The LcS strain has also been shown to help improve stool consistency and encourage regular bowel movement.

Reference

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/nutrition-and-immunity/

https://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/experts-why-is-fiber-important.aspx

https://www.livestrong.com/article/435030-how-does-a-poor-diet-affect-your-digestive-system/

Thank you to everyone who has participated in the May Yakult Trivia – How Much Do You Know About Yakult?

These are the 10 winners below:

1. Shellie H.
2. Paul E.
3. Caleb G.
4. Aiden D.
5. Claire A.
6. Josh C.
7. Peter N.
8. Andrew L.
9. Skye A.
10. Kirsteen S.

Please come back to our website again for the June entry and a chance to win the prize below!

For more information about the monthly Yakult Trivia, please refer to the blog post here – HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT YAKULT?

Our intestinal bacteria have a tremendous influence on our health. Numbering in the trillions in our digestive tract alone, the important roles these microbes play in digestive, immune, cognitive, and metabolic health cannot be underestimated.

A diverse microbiota is a healthy microbiota. Ideally this means you would have a high number of different bacteria species that are evenly spread across your digestive tract. While there is no one ideal healthy intestinal microbiome composition (because everyone’s microbiota profile is unique to them)¹, researchers agree that the key to a resilient digestive system is related to a diverse intestinal bacteria population.

Simple ways to increase and support the diversity of your intestinal microbes:

Get moving

Exercise has many benefits not only for our overall health. Research shows the benefits of exercise in increasing our beneficial bacteria species and in enriching diversity in our intestines. This not only benefits your general health, but a diverse intestinal microbiota may potentially also improve your training performance!²

Embrace nature

Unlike enclosed spaces like the office or school, spending time outdoors can provide us with a much wider diversity of microbes. City dwellers, come take a walk on the ‘nature side’ and your intestinal bacteria will benefit from this. Enjoy the fresh air and get the added benefits of vitamin D from the sun too!

Nourish your microbes

Cartoon by Phil Marden 2016 from The New York Times article: Gut makeover for the new year

To encourage the growth of a wide variety of microbes, provide them with the nutrients to help them thrive.

• Include fermented microbe-rich foods like Yakult, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, natto, tempeh, kefir, or yoghurt.

Did you know? the Lactobacillus casei Shirota strain (LcS) in Yakult not only increases the numbers of beneficial lactobacillus bacteria in your intestines but also helps encourage the growth of other beneficial native bacteria already living in your digestive system?³

• Increase the varieties of plant food in our meals. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes contain fibre and prebiotics, which are our microbes’ favourite foods. By increasing the variety of plant foods in your diet, you help nourish different types of microbes, leading to a more diverse microbial community⁴.

Tip: Try consuming fruits and vegetables according to their season, to enjoy the different varieties when they are at their best both nutritionally and cost-wise.

• Avoid highly processed foods as these tend to be lower in fibre and prebiotics, which limits the number of nutrients your microbes are exposed to compared to unprocessed foods.

Your wellbeing and community

The scientifically proven link between your gut and the brain is known as the gut-brain axis. Stress has been shown to cause various digestive issues by upsetting the bacterial balance and reducing our intestinal microbe diversity. Therefore, taking time to rest and unwind is important both for our brain and bacteria.

Spending time in the company of people and animals that we love is also good for both the soul and our digestive system. The more people and furry friends (pets/animals) we spend our time with, the greater our microbial diversity⁵ as we are exposed to their unique microbes.

Help look after your intestinal bacteria, to help them look after you.

Which simple step will you be taking this week to increase your microbe diversity?

References:

1. Rinninella E Rinninella E, Raoul P, Cintoni M, et al. What is the Healthy Gut Microbiota Composition? A Changing Ecosystem across Age, Environment, Diet, and Diseases. Microorganisms. 2019;7(1):14
2.  Clauss M, Gérard P, Mosca A, Leclerc M. Interplay Between Exercise and Gut Microbiome in the Context of Human Health and Performance. Front Nutr. 2021;8:637010
3. Nagino T, Kaga C, Kano M, et al. Effects of fermented soymilk with Lactobacillus casei Shirota on skin condition and the gut microbiota: a randomised clinical pilot trial. Benef Microbes. 2018; 9(2):209-18
4.  Heiman ML, Greenway FL. A healthy gastrointestinal microbiome is dependent on dietary diversity. Mol Metab. 2016;5(5):317-320
5. Azad MB, Konya T, Maughan H, et al. Infant gut microbiota and the hygiene hypothesis of allergic disease: impact of household pets and siblings on microbiota composition and diversity. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2013;9(1):15

Thank you to everyone who has participated in the April Yakult Trivia – How Much Do You Know About Yakult?

These are the 10 winners below:

1. Scarlett S.
2. Ivana T.
3. Vanessa Y.
4. Airish O.
5. Fancy A.
6. Raymond C.
7. Katy K.
8. Ian L.
9. Grace P.
10. Jasmina M.

Please come back to our website again for the May entry and a chance to win the prize below!

For more information about the monthly Yakult Trivia, please refer to the blog post here – HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT YAKULT?

With the Easter holidays around the corner, it is a tempting time to indulge and eat all the chocolates you can find. This of course leads to the aftermath of those uncomfortable bloating episodes and discomfort. Follow these tips so you and your digestive system can enjoy the holidays:

1. Hydration: have you drank enough water today?

Most people will find themselves constantly snacking because of dehydration.

Keeping up your water intake can reduce those feelings as well as maintain concentration by staying properly hydrated.

2. Remember your fibre

Fibre is the key to happy microbes in our gut. Make sure you pile up your plate with fibre rich foods to help you over the holiday period. This could be adding beans to meals, tossing in healthy grains for salads and incorporating oats into smoothies.

3. Practice mindful eating

It can be a challenge not to overeat and consume lots of sweet treats during Easter.

Being mindful when we eat does not mean restriction but in actively considering what we are consuming. Taking the time to enjoy what we have on our plate can help with digestion and save you from the regret of over-indulging.

4. Stock up on probiotics

Our intestines contain trillions of bacteria. The bacteria in our intestines help keep us balanced and healthy. Probiotics help to replenish the goodness within. Stocking up on beneficial  bacteria like the LcS strain in Yakult over the holidays is a great way to assist our digestive balance.

5. Enjoy a post-meal walk

The idea of an after-meal nap is enticing but isn’t as helpful as a post meal walk. Movement can help boost digestion along with breathing in fresh air after a big meal. Taking a walk will not only decrease your chances of experiencing acid reflux but also allow you to enjoy the holiday ambience.

Thank you for everyone who has participated in the March Yakult Trivia – How Much Do You Know About Yakult?

These are the 10 winners below:

1. Paul E.
2. Sara S.
3. Chelsea H.
4. Ledam N.
5. Nicole G.
6. Tabitha S.
7. Chester W.
8. Anna T.
9. Coreena B.
10. Peter N.

Please come back to our website again for the April entry and a chance to win the prize below!

For more information about the monthly Yakult Trivia, please refer to the blog post here – HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT YAKULT?

In line with International Women’s Day on March 8^th, it is a good time to reflect on and learn more about the health issues that largely affect women. As a result, we have put together a comprehensive list of common health issues among females. Particularly, we have included great resources and tips to ensure you or someone close to you can easily stay on top of their health.

Cancers Common in Women

Breast Cancer

Each year, around 17,000 women in Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer. With early diagnosis, there is an increased chance that cancer will not come back after treatment. Therefore, it is important to ensure you keep up with the routine checks:

Mammograms

BreastScreen Australia offers free mammograms to women 40 years of age and older every two years.

Self-Screening

Before the age of 40, or in between your routine mammograms, you can also easily do a ‘self-exam’ to find any changes in your breast.
Breastcancerorg. has a great visual and written guide on how to do your own at-home exam and the Breast Cancer Network Australia has a good list of things to look out for in the exam.

Other Resources

Further Information

Self Exam Video

Cervical Cancer

There are nearly 1000 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed each year in Australia. There are ways to easily monitor yourself and prevent cervical cancer from developing:

HPV Vaccine

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the cause of almost all (90%) cervical cancers. There is a vaccine that protects against HPV with almost 100% effectiveness (even 10 years after the vaccine!).

Cervical Screening

Even with the HPV vaccine, it is recommended to keep up with regular cervical screening to monitor any changes in the cervix. In fact, since the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Program, the number of cases and deaths due to cervical cancer in Australia have halved.

In the past, this was done via a ‘Pap Smear’, this has now been replaced with the more effective Cervical Screening Test. With better ways to screen for HPV, the Cervical Screening Test only needs to be conducted every 5 years (if found to be negative for HPV).

Other Resources

Further Information

Prevention – HPV Vaccine

Screening – Cervical Screening Test

Vaginal Health

Vaginal Microbiome

The vagina contains a substantial amount of bacteria, with a number second only to the large intestine. These bacteria assist to protect the health of the vagina, helping to keep the pH balance (on the more acidic side) and keeping potentially harmful bacteria at bay.

Using perfumed soaps, vaginal washes/douches or any other harsh cleaners in this area can cause the healthy bacterial balance to be thrown off, causing things like thrush and bacterial vaginosis.

Did you know probiotics can help the treatment of thrush and bacterial vaginosis?

Other Resources

Tips for Staying Healthy Down There

Pelvic Floor

The muscles of the pelvic floor are essential for good control over the bladder and the bowel, meaning their strength is important going to the toilet and passing wind. A weakened pelvic floor can cause a loss of control over urinating and passing stool or wind.

Other Resources

Pelvic Floor Exercises

Constipation

Constipation can happen at any age or gender but female hormones can increase the likelihood of women becoming constipated. Constipation is classified as having a bowel movement less than three times in a week, hard stools, pain when passing stool or only small amounts of stool being released each time. Some ways to reduce constipation are:

• Drink more – fluids help stool move through the bowel
• Exercise – regular movement helps stimulate the bowel muscles
• Increase fibre – fibre is found in plant foods and helps bulk the stool to move through the bowel
• Probiotics – Yakult’s probiotic bacteria, the Lactobacillus casei Shirota strain, have been found to improve stool consistency and reduce constipation

Other Resources

Preventing Constipation

Yakult Benefits

You can learn about ways to support intestinal health, including during pregnancy and breastfeeding here