Blue Zones are the five regions where people regularly live to be over 100 in good health. Even though the Blue Zones span the globe, there are some diet and lifestyle habits they all have in common—including several that directly affect the gut.
Let's take a looks at some of them.
Whole grains, nuts, veggies, beans, and fresh fruit - all of these foods are popular among people in the Blue Zones. Fiber-containing foods are rich in prebiotics that feed good bacteria in the gut and help maintain a healthy microbiome.
In addition to diet, prebiotics can be obtained through supplements. For instance, Layer Origin’s PureHMO® Prebiotic contains 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL), a prebiotic human milk oligosaccharide that supports the growth of Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia muciniphila.
For a combination of pre- and probiotic (symbiotic) try Layer Origin PureHMO® Synbiotic.
Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly reduces the risk of body-wide inflammation. Our mouth is home to 700 species of bacteria, including harmful ones that can be linked to a variety of inflammatory diseases including Alzheimer's [Source] and cardiovascular diseases [Source] - number one cause of death in Australia.
Regularly consuming fermented foods helps feed the good bacteria in the gut and crowd out the bad guys. Foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, sugar-free yogurt, tempeh, kefir and kombucha are a great natural sources of probiotics - live microorganisms that inhabit the microbiome.
Similar to prebiotics, probiotics can also be obtained through supplementation. Brands like BodyHealth, Cymbiotika, Bulletproof and Bioptimizers offer high-quality probiotic supplements that support a balanced gut biome.
Related: Biohacking Digestion and Optimising Gut Health
Polyphenols are active compounds that are packed with antioxidants and help protect the body from harmful free radicals including ultraviolet rays, radiation, and some pathogens.
Polyphenols are found in plant‐based foods and beverages such as coffee, berries, nuts, spinach, and dark chocolate. Curcumin, another widely studied polyphenol from the turmeric plant, has also gained interest as a caloric restriction mimetic and can boast anti-aging properties.
Apple peel powder not only contains polyphenolic compounds that exhibit strong antioxidant activity but also serves as a prebiotic source. Polyphenols from red whole fruits are a great food for the good bacteria in your gut.
Bulletproof Polyphenomenal is a convenient way to supplement your body with plant-based polyphenols.
The ginger-garlic-turmeric is an immunity-boosting combo thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties of each plant. Cooking with this trio (either separately or together) on a regular basis will benefit your body and your meals.
People in Okinawa (one of the five Blue Zones) have commonly used shell ginger for many years. Studies have shown that ginger contains abundant bioactive phytochemicals, with striking anti-obesity, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties. [Source]
Organic Turmeric Capsules from Primal Collective contain 100% Australian certified organic turmeric powder along with ginger and black pepper for enhanced absorption and bioavailability.
Population in the Blue Zones don't consume much sugar, nor do they substitute it with artificial sweeteners.
Frequent sugar intake can promote systemic (low grade) inflammation which has many-fold deleterious health effects, in addition to providing excess energy.
Honey is a go-to sweetener for people in the Blue Zones. For instance, Ikarian honey makes the best sugar alternative thanks to its antibacterial, antimicrobial properties, and high content of antioxidants.
Over time, these small habits have a big effect.
Read more about the Blue Zones in the "The Blue Zones Challenge: Your Guide to a Healthier, Happier, Longer Life" by Dan Buettner and shop Gut Health Supplements on OptimOZ.
Vitamin D and cholesterol are metabolically linked because cholesterol is a key precursor for the skin's synthesis of vitamin D3 when exposed to sunlight.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in all cells, essential for producing hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids that aid digestion. While high LDL (bad) cholesterol contributes to plaque buildup in arteries, cholesterol is necessary for many vital functions.
Magnesium may also be the key to unlocking deep, restorative sleep.
Insomnia, restlessness or night craps getting in the way of your sleep? These are signs of a magnesium deficiency.
Chronic stress, busy schedules, and excessive screen time before bed, millions of Australians struggle to get quality shut-eye. However, research continues to support the idea of a simple solution: getting enough of the essential mineral magnesium.
