The term ‘gut instinct’ is more relevant than ever. Numerous studies confirm the importance of gut health for overall physical and mental wellness; and it all starts with the gut microbiome. This collection of trillions of microbes and their genetic material live inside the digestive tract. A healthy microbiome and “good” bacteria in the gut have been linked to a number of positive health outcomes, including supporting healthy immune function, healthy weight, and mental health, and supports post-meal sugar absorption. In fact, the microbiome is so essential to the function of our bodies it has been deemed to be an organ itself.
The importance of prebiotics
There are no magic bullets when it comes to the gut, but there are fundamentals known to support a healthy microbiome. One is the consumption of prebiotics, plant fibers that help good bacteria grow in the gut. Prebiotics are carbohydrates the body can’t digest. They travel to the lower part of the GI tract where they serve as food to help beneficial gut microbes flourish.
Prebiotics have also been shown to support post-meal sugar absorption from our food in the digestive tract, help maintain regular bowel movements, and aid in the absorption of nutrients, including calcium. Ongoing research is also looking into the potential role of prebiotics in managing weight.
ProLon contains prebiotics, which aid gut health
In addition to fasting-related benefits, ProLon can help support a healthy gut, even during fasting, because it’s a good source of a prebiotic fiber from inulin. Inulin helps stimulate the growth of good gut bacteria, including Bifidobacteria. These bacteria support immune function.
Because inulin slows digestion, it supports your body’s ability to absorb nutrients from the gut into the bloodstream. It also delays the absorption of carbohydrates, so sugars are not entering the blood stream as quickly post-meal. These outcomes support health and aid in healthy weight management. At the same time, inulin supports bowel regularity.
Fiber is another key nutrient that supports gut health. The recommended daily intake for fiber is 25 grams per day for women and 38 grams for men, with the average Daily Value (DV) for adults set at 28 grams. Each ProLon soup provides up to 18% of the DV for fiber, and each L-bar supplies up to 14% of the DV. ProLon is a good source of fiber with a total daily fiber content ranging from 15 to 25 grams vs. the recommended daily intake of 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men, which may be an increase for many ProLon users, as Americans generally take in about half of the advised daily target.
Because fiber helps move stool through the GI tract, it supports healthy digestive function and regularity. Fiber from inulin may also maintain satiety and support weight control. ProLon is a good source of fiber during fasting, and surveys have shown that users find it easier to adopt a healthy eating pattern after use, so continuance of a fiber-rich diet may be easier as we strive for these benefits.
How plant based diets like ProLon support gut health
Another key to gut health is the consumption of more plant-based foods. ProLon’s five day fasting mimicking diet is mostly plant-based, so fasting doesn’t have to stop your adherence to, or can even help you start, this healthy lifestyle. Research shows that a plant-based diet promotes a broader range of microbes in the gut. That’s vital, because microbial diversity has been linked to many health benefits even beyond body weight regulation.
ProLon is plant-based, non-GMO, gluten free and low carb. Plant foods provide the fuel to beneficial bacteria, which are the body’s main producer of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These compounds are associated with numerous potential health benefits that include supporting colonic and immune health, and even nervous system health. Feeding your microbiome with a plant-based diet can have ramifications for your whole body!
ProLon and overall wellness
At ProLon we’re excited to share information about how to better support your health, and be part of your personal wellness journey, from gut health to mental health and beyond. Over 95% of those who used ProLon for the first time said they successfully completed the five-day fast. Over 60% reported that they experienced greater energy, mental clarity, and focus after completing the fast. And most people who use ProLon said that they enjoyed less food cravings and healthier eating habits upon completion of their first fast, and that they are better able to resist sugary foods and control their meal portions.
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