Good gut health – and how to get it – is a hot topic right now. Taking a good gut health supplement containing prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics is a great place to start. VICTORIA MCKELLAR, co-founder of the Akesi wellness brand, tells us a bit about the science of how they work, and outlines five reasons why you might want to give her range of products a try.
#1 It’s made of all the good stuff like prebiotics and postbiotics
“Elizabeth and I created Akesi because we were frustrated with the lack of quality, good gut health supplements on the market,” says Victoria. For example, many gummies on the market come packed with all sorts of fillers. “We wanted a more natural ‘food as medicine’ approach that would have real results in improving our family’s health.”
Akesi has a focus on including plant polyphenols. These are secondary metabolites of plants which have evolved their own form of defence against environmental stressors. It’s believed that 90 percent of dietary polyphenols (from fruits and vegetables) arrive in the colon intact and are extensively metabolised by the gut microbiota. Polyphenols interact with the gut microbiota and influence human health through immunity, appetite, mood and energy metabolism.
“They have antioxidant, antibacterial and prebiotic properties,” says Victoria. “This is why they’re the perfect addition to our gut health products, as they help you to be gut strong!” Improving gut health involves targeting gut microbes – and the best way to do this is through the three key “biotics”:
Prebiotics
These are plant fibres that act as food for your resident microbes. Think of them as your gut fuel. “Taking a probiotic that includes prebiotics is especially important if you have a fussy eater on your hands. Because most quality prebiotic fibre comes from plants,” says Victoria. Eat those vegetables!
Probiotics
These are the live microorganisms that help to deliver health benefits to the body. “Akesi products are all multispecies probiotics, this is because diversity – not quantity – is key.” A multispecies probiotic helps introduce new species that interact with your resident gut microbes.
Postbiotics
“Postbiotics include the beneficial end products from all those microbes working hard and contributing to your overall health.” Examples include the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine that are made by microbial digestion – so there really is a gut-brain connection!
According to Victoria, this powerful combination of polyphenols, prebiotics and probiotics plus postbiotics is why Akesi has a strong track record of customers reporting better health outcomes. “We’re so excited that nutritionists and doctors are endorsing our products and buying them for their own families.”
#2 Gut health supplements that offer a raft of other health benefits
Emerging research is showing a connection between gut health and improved hormonal health, mental health, immunity, allergies, energy and metabolism. “Gut health is central to your body functioning optimally. Your gut bugs have a lot to say in how your body is running. If you look after them, they’ll look after you better,” says Victoria. Here are a few of those potential health benefits of prebiotics and probiotics:
Good gut health and hormones
The gut microbiome is one of the principal regulators of oestrogen. A subset of the microbiome is the oestrobolome – the gut bacteria that secrete an enzyme (beta glucuronidase) that converts oestrogen into its active form. According to Victoria, there’s a two-way relationship between the gut microbiome and oestrogen. The key is having the right amount of oestrogen for your body. “Having a healthy, balanced and diverse microbiome which in turn plays a key role in oestrogen metabolism is important throughout a woman’s lifetime,” she says.
Good gut health and sleep
Our circadian rhythm uses a light/dark cycle for internal body processes. Our gut bacteria also have their own day and night routine. Your gut microbiome can assist a good night’s sleep through its role in serotonin metabolism. “As evening approaches your body starts converting serotonin into the sleep hormone melatonin,” says Victoria. “Even more reason to fuel your good gut bugs with prebiotic fibre and make healthy lifestyle choices.”
Good gut health and movement
Movement in nature is a great way to relieve stress, helping to decrease inflammation and improve overall wellness – including your digestive health. “It enriches your exposure to microbial diversity, potentially improving the ratios of certain species in your gut and stimulating bacterial activities that are beneficial to good health,” says Victoria.
The future, she adds, is to research microbiome sequencing and probiotics to potentially improve physical performance and perhaps even endurance.
Good gut health and brain function
Your gut and brain are linked by neurotransmitters, nerves and complex feedback loops. The vagus nerve represents the superhighway of this communication, and psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression have a connection to gut health status.
What you eat impacts how your brain works. “Loss in the overall diversity and the balance of microbial species is caused by poor lifestyle habits like a highly processed diet, sedentary behaviour, toxin exposure, sleep disturbance, stress and circadian rhythm disruption.” Victoria believes that food is medicine – what, how and when you eat are opportunities to optimise your brain, how it works and ultimately how you feel. Fix the gut and you can go some way to fixing the brain.
Good gut health and immune health
Over 70 percent of your immune system is located in your gut, and maintaining good gut health contributes to better overall health and immunity. “You might not connect digestive problems with skin issues, allergies, autoimmune diseases, psychological disorders or even your response to the common cold, but many seemingly unrelated illnesses may be linked to poor gut health.”
#3 It tastes really good
“We wanted our products to be delicious and easy. They can be taken any time of day, with or without food,” says Victoria. (Editor’s note: I can attest, having tasted it myself, that it’s absolutely addictive!)
Akesi Turmeric is a simple “shot” and perfect for busy parents, while Akesi Berry and Akesi Tropical are concentrates you dilute in water. “Kids can’t get enough! They also make excellent mocktails.” Elderberry Boost comes in convenient one-a-day sachets which you can have straight on your tongue, and Probiotic+ BASE is a plain dissolvable powder that can be added to many foods.
#4 Prebiotics and probiotics that are fun and easy to prepare
For Akesi Berry and Akesi Tropical, simply add one tablespoon to still or sparkling water as a fun juice, soda, alcohol replacer. They’re also more potent and friendly on the wallet compared to kombucha. Akesi Turmeric is enjoyed as a spicy kickstart tablespoon shot so you can carry on getting your to-do list done! Elderberry Boost comes in convenient single serve sachets. You can tear it open and enjoy it directly on your tongue for a delicious sherbet, or add it to smoothies or swirl through yoghurts. And for Probiotic+ BASE, add a scoop to infant formula, expressed breast milk, elderly or infant purees, yoghurts or smoothies. Simple!
#5 There’s a new tropical flavour launching!
Victoria is excited about their new Akesi Tropical product. It’s fermented with five probiotic species together with yummy mango, passionfruit and pineapple to provide bioactive polyphenols, additional riboflavin (vitamin B2) and ten billion good bacteria in every serve. Postbiotics include health-promoting Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA). “My children are already obsessed; I have to hide it in the fridge so they have no more than three serves a day. My nine-year-old daughter Mia delighted me by remarking: ‘Mum, this is the best thing you have ever invented!’ I couldn’t be happier, and I quite agree,” beams Victoria.
Find out more at akesiwellness.com.
Liked reading all about prebiotics and probiotics and delicious Akesi good gut health supplements? Read more articles about wellness in our health and fitness section.
This article first appeared in the June 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
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