Don't Forget Prebiotics to Support a Healthy Microbiome!
Submitted by Life Extension®

Probiotic bacteria help promote a healthy digestive environment, but how do you promote a healthy environment for beneficial probiotics? Each FLORASSIST® Prebiotic tablet contains a scientificallyvalidated dose of PreticX™ prebiotic fiber, which contains 70% xylooligosaccharides to optimize the growth potential of the beneficial bifidobacteria.

If you are taking a probiotic supplement, a prebiotic can help! Prebiotics promote a healthy environment for beneficial bifidobacteria. This unique prebiotic fiber is more effective in small doses, as small dose prebiotic fibers reduce the chances of gastrointestinal upset. FLORASSIST Prebiotic also supports the intestine, colon cells, and immune health—all in a convenient chewable with a delicious, natural strawberry flavor.

Bifidobacteria metabolize important types of dietary carbohydrates. They also support your immune system response, provide essential fuel to cells of the digestive tract, and more. Bifidobacteria occurs naturally in the human gastrointestinal tract. Read more

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Is Bad Water Causing Your Weight Gain?
By Dr. Roy M. Speiser

The notion of safe drinking water is a myth. The fact that your tap water gets a passing grade from the EPA doesn't mean it's safe—in fact, it's far from it. Unfortunately, our drinking water has become a repository for toxic waste. Agricultural run-off is flushing heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers into the environment, which then seep into our water supply. Industries also illegally dump chemicals into the ground and waterways.

Due to our country's rotting infrastructure, water suppliers have had to add more and more chlorine, resulting in higher levels of disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Disinfection byproducts, such as chloroform, have carcinogenic effects leading some to be EPA classified as Class B "probable carcinogens." 

Based on research conducted between 2010 and 2015, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found nearly 50,000 American public water systems contaminated with hundreds of harmful chemicals, including arsenic, chloroform, drugs, and other toxins. Of the approximately 500 contaminants tested, they detected a whopping 267 in US drinking water supplies. Read more

Ask our Wellness Educators
By Jen Palmer, ND, NEEDS Education Director

Dear NEEDS Wellness Educators,
Q: I've been having mild anxiety attacks, especially when I feel a lot of stress from family and social issues. I've tried taking prescription medications, but I find that they cause me to feel groggy or blah. Is there something natural I can use without side effects?
~ LP from Corning, NY

A: Dear LP,
Yes, there is a great solution to your problem! Theanine is an amino acid derived from green or black tea (Camellia sinensis). It's a compound that can cross the blood-brain barrier to affect the nervous system. Theanine increases inhibitory (calming) neurotransmitters, particularly GABA, which is a naturally–produced chemical that has a soothing affect on the nervous system. GABA may also further the calming effect by bringing balance to various neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine.

Theanine has also been shown in studies to increase a compound that protects the nervous system, called "brain-derived neurotrophic factors" or BDNF, which promotes the growth of nerves. Read more