by | | Curated Content
January 15th 2025
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WellBeing Magazine
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We all know the feeling of being provoked to the point of being so emotionally charged, we react purely on impulse. There’s no thinking involved. Auto-pilot kicks in, and we bypass fastening our cognitive seatbelts resulting in a bumpy ride. Acting without thinking is a reflex response that comes from a place of self-protection or when we have taken offence. But is attack the best form of defence? Rather than reacting, if we can respond in a reflective manner then we can fly above the turbulence to ensure a safe landing.
We are all familiar with a doctor tapping just below the kneecap to see if our reflexes are working. A reflex response is one that operates on a hair trigger, literally. There is no cognition or premeditation involved — you just do it. We have no cognitive control, hence the term “knee-jerk” reaction. In psychological terms, this is called an “action tendency”. It is an instinctive urge or default behaviour linked to a strongly felt emotion. The action tendency for fear might be to run or hide. For anger, the body will go into attack mode.
These coping mechanisms occur in the moment when in a state of overwhelm or feeling threatened, often resulting in ill-advised responses with undesirable repercussions. The emotional reflex activates a behavioural response that comes from the stress centre in our being. This amygdala-driven reaction is a reflexive stress response when the body goes into fight, flight or freeze.
This action tendency happens in everyday life when interacting with others where our emotions swell and hit like a tidal wave. When incited, we instinctively sidestep conscious thinking and we act on an emotional pivot where there can be unforeseen fallout, from spewing forth invective or jumping on the defensive. However, when we think in a reflective manner we can act in a considered way where we keep our top-note emotions in check. This form of self-regulation doesn’t mean our reflex response is wrong but rather our reflective response allows for us to not get caught up in the heat of the moment and to communicate our feelings accurately, explaining our hurts and anger.
To act or to react
The reflex response is rooted in the unconscious, tapping into the deep recesses of our mind where repressed memories and feelings reside. But it is also where our fears and insecurities lay dormant waiting to be triggered. This is where our trauma sits. For instance, when a war veteran hears the backfiring of a car, they can run for cover as it evokes the gunfire that happens in the fog of war.
Similarly, when we are under enormous pressure in our immediate environment or activated by unwelcomed or unexpected news, we can fly off the handle and say things we don’t mean. How many times can we remember situations where we reacted on impulse, shuddering when we recall things that were said, screamed or shattered. When caught off-guard, we can also be overcome by tears and even shut down. The unconscious mind operates without reason or management — it is a force of innate nature. Because it is instinctual, it is reactive.
The problem arises when these emotions lead to judgments made without the facility of awareness or prudent analysis. There is the sense of things but no recognition of what the reality of a situation actually is. While feelings can be effective indicators, when under pressure, they are prone to mislead or be deemed as unreliable resulting at times in rash outcomes.
The reflect effect
Unlike reflexive responses, emotional reflection uses a range of devices in order to circumvent the amygdala framework for re-diversion back into the pre-frontal cortex. This process means we take a step back from something that has upset us and consider why it has had this effect. We revert to the executive function where we can regain clarity and perspective on a situation. This form of reflection is effectively emotional processing.
The emotional reflex centres on the subjective experience, the physiological response and consequently the behavioural outcome. We behave impulsively based on that initial emotional reaction, however reflection allows us to literally be more thoughtful through self-regulation.
Reflecting is a contemplative act where you take the time to recognise the pain or distress you are feeling even as you are experiencing it. It is a form of self-observation where you accept the feeling but do not validate it instantly. Instead, you analyse and consider your reaction and determine the right course of action. Reflection uses your cognitive faculties but recognises that emotions are real.
In the moment, it is not an easy task to literally stop and think. Unlike emotional reflexivity, being reflective does not come naturally. In effect, this process needs to be cultivated. It is the ability to observe the instinct to react and subsequently to pull back from the reaction using self-awareness. It is a mindful act where we do not discard or dismiss our emotions as being faulty but rather investigate the validity of them. Now this is, at times, impossible in the moment. But with practice, we can get better at reining in our reactions. The aim is to manage them before they manage us. The following techniques can help to keep a lid on things:
- Breathing techniques, also known as breathwork, is one coping tool.
- Knowing what your triggers are is also helpful in avoiding situations that can incite an emotionally reflexive response.
- Enhancing body awareness so as you are reacting you can recognise that feeling in your body as it rises inside of you.
- Develop a range of tactical responses to cope with this physiological response: these can include breathwork, closing your eyes, squeezing your fists, repeating a mantra or even walking away. It is best to devise an approach that suits you.
Wiser counsel
In 1938, Harvard University began a longitudinal study tracking the lives of more than 2000 participants. Its mission was to determine the factors that comprised a happy life. The main finding was that engaging in meaningful relationships was the primary determinant for life satisfaction.
The current director and associate director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz, have co-authored a book called The Good Life: Lessons From The World’s Longest Study On Happiness. In this book, they have devised a technique to assist us to slow down our reaction time and to develop strategies to manage stressful situations. They coined it the WISER model.
WISER is an apt acronym where each letter represents the progression in the self-regulation process: Watch, Interpret, Select, Engage and Reflect.
Watch: this first step is the act of self-observation in the moment of provocation. Think of hitting the brakes at traffic lights and take that moment to observe your emotions, the other person’s emotions, your environment and what the issue is at hand. As opposed to being impulsive, this is an intentional activity. Waldinger and Schulz regard this phase as pressing “the pause button to prevent a potentially harmful reflexive response”. This is the most important step as you endeavour to replace contempt with curiosity.
Interpret: This second step is about making meaning of the situation by identifying all the determinant factors at play including pre-conceived assumptions. Considering the situation including pressure-testing the validity of your own emotional responses is pertinent at this juncture. You can assess the environment and other forces at play that may have factored into why you reacted as you did. This step is also about delving into the other person’s perspective.
Select: Now in the third step, while considering the other’s perspective, you also consider your own and select the parts that are valid based on your values and lived experience of what has occurred in the encounter. The aim is to communicate your perspective clearly and respectfully. The authors write, “The key is to try to slow things down where you can zoom in and move from a fully automatic response to a more considered and purposeful response that aligns with who you are and what you are seeking to accomplish.”
Engage: Now that you have explored your reasons and rationale for your response, effective engagement is the fourth step. How and when you engage may also be a consideration. Rather than choosing to engage there and then, you may opt to choose a different time and place to encourage a better outcome.
Reflect: This final step is all about assessing how the above implementation went and whether you achieved an optimum outcome for all parties, ensuring you felt seen and heard, without diminishing anyone else.
Remember, at any point, you can take a “time out” in order to decompress where you can use any of the positive coping strategies, from breathwork to fist-squeezing as you initiate the process of regulation.
The mindful balancing act
Feeling and thinking are not incompatible when managed effectively and in concert. It is in the unconscious state where we react and in the conscious mind where we act. These are binary responses and opposite in nature. Usually, we do one or the other, but wouldn’t it be helpful for our sense of wellbeing to be able to incorporate or integrate them?
We can use both reflexive and reflective approaches to help us navigate life. They can lead to internal conflict when used in isolation or in a mutually exclusive way. But used in tandem, they can work powerfully together. Reflection is the mind and reflexion is the gut reaction. Finding the balance between both means we respond holistically. Self-awareness means we come to know how these two processes work and over time we can learn to integrate the two so that we never lose our balance.
Think about how you might view what happens to you in life if you draw on and use both your emotional as well as your cognitive responses. After all, we can both experience as well as evaluate a work of art, a piece of music or even a dish of food. Experiential is to feel and evaluative is to think.
We can be moved by art or music while also technically assessing its artistry or compositional structure. Think of those foodie shows when judges are taste-testing contestants’ dishes. There is the flavour sensation that elicits reactions of yum or yuck but is balanced by the cognitive appraisal of sweet to sour critically ranking culinary skill. We can savour as well as score. The intellectual or considered response complements the visceral or instinctive response. The conscious and the unconscious can combine like yin and yang. In the end, it is all about balance and appreciating that all parts of our being have a place when handled with self-compassion and self-awareness.
The reflex is to leap. The reflect response is to look before you leap. The trick is to reflect on the reflex and then just relax.
Article featured in WellBeing Magazine 214
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Reflexive vs reflective responses
by | | Curated Content
January 15th 2025
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WellBeing Magazine
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When Robert Falcon Scott and his crew set off for the South Pole, two of the precious foods that they chose to carry with them were malted cocoa powders and milk chocolate bars. If you are facing temperatures of -22°C, searing winds and intense physical exertion, chocolate offers not only nutrition and calories but also comfort. Of course, even if you aren’t racing a bunch of Norwegians across the Antarctic, chocolate has a lot to recommend it. Chocolate is not just a food, it is an event, an expectation, a gift, a solace, a celebration and a companion. You will have turned to chocolate at some time, maybe even today, possibly as you read this. We all have. The question is whether you need to relax about enjoying your chocolate or is it too good to be true? Should you feel a little guilt about your chocolate indulgence? To answer that, we will have to look a little more closely at what chocolate is and dig into the research that suggests that it might even be a health food.
Aztecs to Aussies
The earliest evidence of chocolate consumption by humans comes from the town of Colha in northern Belize, where ceramic vessels have been found to contain traces of chocolate and have been dated to 2600 years old. In Central America, successive civilisations from the Olmec to the Mayans to the Aztecs embraced chocolate with gusto.
Think you’re a chocoholic? See how you measure up to the world’s first documented chocoholic, the Aztec king Montezuma. When Hernando Cortez and his Spanish conquistadors stumbled across him in 1519, he was in the habit of quaffing around 50 flagons of cacahuatl or xoxocatl every day. This drink was the forerunner of the hot chocolate we drink today.
If you want to make chocolate like Montezuma had it, try mixing cocoa powder with water (or wine), corn meal, vanilla and chillies. Tip this from one container to another to make it froth and drink it cold. Remember, the Aztec palate was very different to ours, so don’t expect this drink to be the luscious chocolatey experience you are accustomed to. In 1519, Cortez and his Spaniards very quickly decided to heat the drink and add sugar, while removing some of the spice. Even this sweetened form of chocolate took a while to take off in the European homeland, until the English began adding milk to their hot chocolate and a gastronomic phenomenon was born.
From that point, chocolate quickly became a drink for the nobility across Europe, but the masses enjoyed it too. By the mid-1600s, chocolate houses were all the rage and men of power would meet over cups of exotic hot chocolate to discuss affairs of state. The Queen’s Lane Coffee House on High Street, Oxford, in the UK, has been serving hot chocolate since 1650 and continues to do so. What really unleashed the dark power of chocolate, however, was the discovery that it could be consumed as a solid.
In 1828, a Dutchman named Van Houten found a way to press the cocoa butter out of the beans. With the cocoa butter removed, the beans could be pounded to a cake, then mixed with sugar and some of the original cocoa butter to make a solid. In 1879, the Swiss Daniel Petr added powdered milk to the solid chocolate and the rest, as they say, is delicious, I mean, history.
In 2024, global revenue from chocolate is expected to have reached US$254 billion (approx. AU$383 billion). In Australia, we generate US$3.5 billion (approx. AU$5.3 billion) every year, with that figure expected to grow by 8.5 per cent in the next two to three years. That breaks down to the average Australian consuming 32kg of chocolate per year. Chew on that figure.
Melting magic
Chocolate is based on cocoa, which comes from the bean of the cacao tree. The tree is thought to have originated in Brazil and now grows in tropical climates all over the world in places such as Venezuela, the Caribbean and West Africa. The botanical name of the cacao tree is Theobroma cacao, “Theobroma” being Greek for “food of the gods”.
Cocoa beans have more than 600 chemical components and 230 of these are believed to have possible health benefits. Many of these beneficial compounds are polyphenols (or flavonoids). In fact, the cocoa bean is naturally a richer source of flavonoids than broccoli or green tea. When the cocoa bean is processed, it produces cocoa solids that are rich in flavonoids, and cocoa butter, a fatty substance that contains no flavonoids. The types of chocolate available in the market reflect variations in the amount of cocoa solids and cocoa butter used, as well as the amounts of other additives.
The Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) definition of chocolate is based on the term “cocoa solids”, which it defines as the non-fat solids found in chocolate mass. According to FSANZ, all chocolate must contain at least 20 per cent cocoa solids. The three main types of chocolate available are “milk chocolate”, “dark chocolate” and “white chocolate”.
Milk chocolate: Probably the most widely consumed form of chocolate today, milk chocolate is made from cocoa butter, cocoa solids, milk, sugar and vanilla. Amounts of each of these will vary from product to product.
Dark chocolate: This is more bitter than milk chocolate, as it does not contain milk, it has more room for cocoa solids. It, therefore, contains more health-promoting flavonoids than its milky brethren. Some dark chocolates have 70–80 per cent cocoa and the rest is sugar, cocoa butter and sometimes vanilla.
White chocolate: It is a bit cheeky to call this chocolate as it contains no cocoa (and therefore no flavonoids) at all. White chocolate is made from cocoa butter, sugar, milk and vanilla.
A major part of chocolate’s appeal is its physical properties. Its texture is pleasant and matches its flavour, which is subject to the same panoply of ridiculous descriptors as is wine. What really defines the experience of chocolate, though, is its melting point. Chocolate melts at somewhere between 30 and 33°C, so that it is solid at room temperature but melts as soon as it hits your tongue. The melting point changes with the amount of cocoa fats present, so dark chocolate will generally melt the fastest as it contains the most cocoa solids. There is no doubt that chocolate is good to eat but is it possible that it might also be good for you?
Healer or vice?
When you eat chocolate, you are eating much more, or sometimes less, than cocoa and its flavonoids, depending on the form of chocolate you choose. It is also believed that modern processing of chocolate destroys a large portion of the beneficial flavonoids. Despite this, many of the studies mentioned below were done using commercially available forms of chocolate, so some of the health benefits do linger on in the modern food.
Chocolate as a mood booster: It has been thought that chocolate boosts levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, hence inducing a feeling of wellbeing and even euphoria. Research from the University of New South Wales, however, suggests that this is not the case. This research did, however, suggest that chocolate might activate the dopamine system of the brain, which generates a sense of positive reward and also the anticipation of pleasure.
Chocolate also links into the opioid receptors of the brain and acts in the same way as marijuana. The narcotic actions of marijuana arise because of a compound called THC that binds to “feel-good” receptors in the brain. Chocolate does not contain THC, but it does contain something called anandamide that binds to those same receptors. Chocolate also contains substances that stop anandamide from being broken down, so the “buzz” lasts longer.
Moreover, the taste and texture of chocolate in the mouth are utterly and sensuously pleasurable. These qualities are enough to boost a low mood on their own.
Chocolate as stress relief: “I need chocolate!” Many of us have said that after a hard day, after a relationship break up, or after our favourite team loses. At some deep level, we all share the belief that chocolate will ease the stresses of life and research suggests that we might be right. One study published in the Journal of Proteome Research asked people who were identified as suffering from chronic stress to have 20g of dark chocolate at morning and afternoon tea for two weeks. Blood tests showed that levels of the stress hormones cortisol, adrenalin and noradrenalin all dropped significantly in response to the chocolate treatment.
Chocolate as an aphrodisiac: When Cortez and his men met with the Aztec people, several of the literate among them kept journals of what they saw. This translated passage from the journal of Bernal Diaz suggests why the Spaniards may have taken such a keen interest in “chocolatl”.
“From time to time, the men of Montezuma’s guard brought him, in cups of pure gold, a drink made from the cocoa plant, which they said he took before visiting his wives… I saw them bring in 50 large jugs of chocolate, all frothed up, of which he would drink a little.” (Bernal Díaz del Castillo: 1560).
Chocolate’s reputation as an aphrodisiac is widespread. Who can honestly say that they have never proffered a chocolate in the hope that it might grease the wheels of affection? In all truth, though, there is scant evidence that chocolate does boost libido except in that it may boost mood. A better mood can make you more disposed to all sorts of things.
Chocolate for the heart: Eighteenth-century physicians believed that chocolate strengthened the heart. In the 1990s, it was found that indeed the flavonoids from cocoa can protect the cardiovascular system and much research has followed.
Tufts University in Boston reported that eating dark chocolate may help lower blood pressure. One study found that white chocolate, which does not contain flavonoids, yielded no benefit for blood pressure. However, dark chocolate led to a significant drop in blood pressure. The researchers did caution that since dark chocolate contains high amounts of fat, this might, in the long term, offset the shorter-term benefits.
Another study reported that eating dark chocolate can protect the blood vessels themselves. Researchers found that after eating 100g of commercial dark chocolate, an artery in the arm of volunteers dilated significantly more in response to blood flow and they had a seven per cent decrease in the stiffness of their aorta (the major artery leading from the heart). Chocolate flavonoids improve blood vessel function by increasing the availability of nitric oxide release and prostacyclin in the body.
Additionally, a study from the Netherlands reported that the flavonoids from cocoa improve the functioning of the cells that line blood vessels. The study lasted 15 years and found that men who ate the most cocoa were only half as likely to die during the trial than those who did not eat it. Before you go out and binge, however, even the highest cocoa consumers were only having an average of 4g of cocoa per day.
Sugar and fat from chocolate products are unfortunately counterproductive to heart health. So to do anything for your heart, eat the high-cocoa-content dark chocolates (70–80 per cent) and eat it in moderation.
Chocolate for the brain: Chocolate contains many substances that act as mental stimulants, such as theobromine, phenethylamine and caffeine. Although a 50g chocolate bar only has about 20 per cent of the caffeine of a cup of filter coffee, chocolate does seem to stimulate mental performance, but it might just be the sugar in chocolate that is doing the work.
Avoiding deranged confusion
To get the greatest health benefit from your chocolate, choose a dark chocolate high in cocoa. This maximises your flavonoid content. On the other hand, there are occasions when life demands indulgence and, at these times, go for pure, melting taste.
In the end, you can take a guide from the Spanish priest Bernadino de Sahagun who in 1529 wrote the Florentine Codex. This was a compilation of the medicinal knowledge that he had found among the Aztecs. Included in the Florentine Codex was a recommendation that chocolate would invigorate and refresh if used in moderation. Excessive use of chocolate, however, was said to leave the consumer “confused and deranged”.
Almost 500 years later, you can heed de Sahagun’s words and, by eating your chocolate in moderation, get the best of this heavenly product.
Article featured in WellBeing 214
The post A guilty treasure appeared first on WellBeing Magazine.
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A guilty treasure
by | | Curated Content
January 15th 2025
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WellBeing Magazine
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When it comes to health and wellbeing, many Australians are seeking holistic solutions to help them feel their best and live a balanced life. At the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS), we understand that natural therapies can play a vital role in supporting this journey. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce the extension of our Friends of Natural Medicine program for the public, an initiative designed to connect consumers with the benefits and knowledge of natural medicine in a way that’s practical, inspiring, and accessible.
The Friends of Natural Medicine community is all about educating and empowering Australians with a natural approach to their health. By creating new platforms that share expert insights, success stories, and practical advice, we aim to demystify natural medicine and make it easier for individuals and families to explore its potential for improving their health. With podcasts, blogs, recipes, newsletters, and events, Friends of Natural Medicine will take this conversation to the next level.
Trusted sources to learn about the power of natural therapies
Launching the ‘Let’s Talk Natural Medicine’ Podcast
Podcasts have become one of the most accessible and impactful ways to share stories, educate, and engage audiences. ATMS’s new public-focused podcast, ‘Let’s Talk Natural Medicine’, features experts and practitioners across modalities sharing real-world advice, inspiring stories, and practical insights. Each episode is tailored to address common questions and misconceptions about natural medicine, offering listeners actionable tips to improve their wellbeing.
Our podcast aligns with a key goal of Friends of Natural Medicine: to make expert knowledge available to everyone. Whether it’s understanding the benefits of acupuncture, how remedial massage supports physical recovery, or the role of naturopathy in managing chronic conditions, ‘Let’s Talk Natural Medicine’ will serve as a trusted resource for consumers seeking clarity and connection.
The power of shared stories through blogs
Our new blog platform will delve deeper into the rich diversity of natural medicine, offering articles by our podcast guest practitioners and consumer success stories. It’s an opportunity for consumers to see how natural medicine can address real-life challenges – from managing stress to improving sleep, boosting immunity, and supporting mental health. Blogs also provide a space to unpack myths, explore scientific backing, and offer practical wellness advice.
Recipes for health: Collaboration with Zoe Bingley-Pullin
Food is the foundation of health, and through the expertise of renowned nutritionist, chef, and author Zoe Bingley-Pullin, we’ll inspire Australians to reconnect with the power of nutrition. Zoe’s recipes will feature seasonal, nourishing, and delicious ideas for consumers to integrate into their daily lives, highlighting how food can be a potent form of natural medicine. These recipes will not only complement the blog but also feature in our newsletter and events, making holistic health more accessible to everyone.
A newsletter to educate and inspire
Our Friends of Natural Medicine newsletter will be a fortnightly touchpoint for subscribers, packed with practical advice, expert interviews, wellness tips, and curated content from our podcast, blog, and recipe collaborations. It’s designed to help consumers stay informed, empowered, and motivated to explore natural health options that suit their unique needs.
Natural Medicine Week: A celebration of holistic wellness
The highlight of this initiative will undoubtedly be Natural Medicine Week in May, a nationwide celebration bringing natural medicine into the spotlight. For one week, our natural medicine ambassadors – practitioners from a range of therapies – will host events, workshops, and interactive sessions designed to educate and engage the public. From exploring the benefits of herbal medicine to hands-on therapy demonstrations, these events will create a tangible connection between the public and practitioners, making natural medicine more relatable and accessible to millions of Australians.
Why Friends of Natural Medicine? Because consumer engagement matters
At ATMS, we believe that an informed consumer is an empowered consumer. With the rise of chronic conditions, mental health challenges, and the need for sustainable health solutions, it’s vital for the public in Australia to have access to credible information about natural therapies. While the internet is flooded with health advice, much of it is unreliable or contradictory. Friends of Natural Medicine offers a trusted, evidence-based alternative, bridging the gap between professional practitioners and the people they serve.
By engaging directly with consumers, we can:
- Demystify natural therapies: Address misconceptions and provide clear, factual information.
- Build trust: Strengthen the connection between practitioners and their communities.
- Support informed decision-making: Empower individuals to choose therapies that align with their health needs and values.
- Celebrate diversity in care: Highlight the range of therapies available, from Chinese medicine to massage, naturopathy, and more.
Looking ahead: 2025 and beyond
The expansion of Friends of Natural Medicine is more than an initiative – it’s a movement. A movement to make natural health more accessible, understood, and celebrated by Australians. Through podcasts, blogs, recipes, newsletters, and events, ATMS aim to create a ripple effect of awareness and empowerment, bringing the benefits of natural medicine to the forefront of wellness conversations.
We invite you to join us on this exciting journey, whether by tuning into our podcast, subscribing to the newsletter, or attending a Natural Medicine Week event. Together, we can build a healthier, more informed Australia – one step, one story, one natural therapy at a time.
Find out more and subscribe to Friends of Natural Medicine here
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Empowering Wellness: How ATMS is bridging the gap between consumers and natural medicine
by | | Curated Content
January 15th 2025
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WellBeing Magazine
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In recent years, the gut microbiome has emerged as a key player in health, earning its title as the “second brain”. This intricate ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, influences everything from digestion and nutrient absorption to immune function and even mental health. Supporting a healthy gut microbiome is essential for the whole family and probiotics play a pivotal role in achieving this balance. Life-Space, Australia’s number one probiotic brand*, stands out as a trusted ally in gut health, offering tailored solutions for every stage of life.
The first 1,000 days
The first 1,000 days of life, from conception to a child’s second birthday, are critical for shaping a healthy microbiome. This period influences not only digestive health but also the immune system and lifelong wellbeing. During pregnancy, a mother’s gut microbiome significantly impacts her baby’s development, making it essential for expecting mothers to prioritise gut health. Probiotics can help balance the microbiome during this time, promoting a healthy pregnancy and preparing the infant’s system for life outside the womb.
After birth, factors such as breastfeeding, diet and environment further shape the infant’s microbiome. For instance, breast milk contains prebiotics and beneficial bacteria that help populate a baby’s gut with good microbes. Supplementing with an infant-specific probiotic can provide additional support, especially for babies born via caesarean section or those who aren’t breastfed, as these scenarios can result in a less diverse microbiome.
Life-Space’s range of probiotics is expertly designed to support these early years. Their Probiotic Powder for Baby is tailored to meet the unique needs of infants, helping to establish a solid foundation for gut and immune health.
Tailoring probiotics to every life stage
As children grow, so do their microbiome needs. Factors such as dietary changes, antibiotic use and stress can disrupt gut balance. For toddlers and school-aged children, probiotics can help maintain healthy digestion and support immunity – this helps children thrive during their active and demanding years.
Teenagers, with their unique hormonal and dietary shifts, can benefit from probiotics that support not only gut health but also skin health and mood regulation.
Similarly, adults need probiotics that address lifestyle factors such as stress, poor dietary habits and sleep disturbances.
Life-Space offers targeted formulas like Probiotic Powder for Children and Broad Spectrum Probiotic for Adults, ensuring the whole family can maintain optimal gut health.
For seniors, gut health becomes even more crucial. With age, the diversity of the gut microbiome decreases which can potentially impact digestion, immunity and overall vitality. Probiotic supplements tailored to older adults can help restore balance, support nutrient absorption and enhance quality of life. Life-Space’s Probiotic for 60+ Years provides a blend of beneficial bacteria to address the unique challenges of aging.
Gut health and immune system function
A healthy gut microbiome is a cornerstone of immune system function. Did you know that approximately 70 per cent of your immune system resides in the gut? Ensuring your gut is at its most optimal health is essential for defending against illness and maintaining overall resilience. Probiotics contribute by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, crowding out harmful microbes and supporting the gut’s barrier function.
Life-Space is uniquely positioned to support this connection between gut and immunity. With a comprehensive range of probiotics for all life stages, Life-Space helps families maintain a robust immune system year-round. Their expertly formulated products are backed by research and designed to meet the diverse needs of individuals from infancy to 60+.
Why choose Life-Space?
When it comes to probiotics, Life-Space is the brand that Australian families trust. As the nation’s number one probiotic brand, Life-Space combines cutting-edge science with a deep understanding of gut health. Their extensive range covers all stages of life as well as various health conditions – this makes it easy for families to find a tailored solution for their needs.
Life-Space’s commitment to quality and efficacy has earned them the reputation of being the go-to experts in probiotics. Their products are not only crafted with care but are also supported by the latest scientific advancements, ensuring they deliver real results for their consumers.
Embrace a healthier future for your family
Supporting your family’s gut health is one of the most powerful steps you can take toward overall wellbeing. From the first 1,000 days to the golden years, probiotics provide targeted support for every stage of life. Life-Space makes it simple to prioritise gut health, offering trusted solutions that cater to the unique needs of babies, children, adults and seniors.
Invest in your family’s health today with Life-Space – a healthy microbiome means a healthier, happier future for everyone.
For more, visit lifespaceprobiotics.com or take the Life-Space probiotics quiz found here.
*Data sourced from Circana MarketEdge MAT to 03/11/2024 based on data definitions provided by Evolution Health
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The gut microbiome: A foundation for family wellness
by | | Curated Content
January 14th 2025
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Wellness Mama Blog | Simple Answers for Healthier Families
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Several times a year, when the kids grow or the seasons change (as they inevitably do), I climb into the dark abyss of our attic to find the next sizes of clothes for their capsule wardrobes. Two hours later they all have neatly organized, new (hand-me-down) wardrobes and I’m sneezing like crazy. Those days remind […]
Continue reading Bieler’s Vegetable Broth Detox Soup…
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https://wellnessmama.com/recipes/bielers-vegetable-broth/
