Latinas in Wellness: Our Probiotics and Adaptogens Edition
Over the last decade, gut health and the importance of supporting your microbiome has taken center stage, with hundreds of new brands catering to your gut flora. What is your microbiome exactly? Your body consists of trillions of microbes and thousands of species (and yes that includes viruses!). Many of them are extremely beneficial for your health – from breaking down toxic food molecules to helping your body digest carbs to even taking care of your bff down there – your vagina.
Usually, these bugs are balanced in your large and small intestine and through the body – even on your skin. But when this microbiome is out of balance – because of antibiotics, diet, or illness – things can get wacky.
That is why you should take extra care to making sure your microbiome is healthy. How do we do that? Through eating healthy (skip the sugar!) and taking supplements like probiotics and even lots of delicious yogurt.
Luckily there are 3 Latinx founders who have this covered – they have all created some type of healthy products that will help you keep your gut bugs in check.
Anita’s Yogurt
Cream, butter, and sugar in her pastry creations led this former Chef Anita Shephard, to digestive problems and weight gain that was uncomfortable for her. She founded Anita’s Yogurt by making the coconut yogurt herself.
Yogurt was the one thing I’d go to the stores and look around for and nothing was suitable for recipes. Most of the yogurt products back then were filled with additives and most of the additives made them taste fake. They also didn’t have a yogurt-like texture.”
The brand is small-batch, all organic, and also they use their own blend of probiotics.
Anima Mundi Apothecary
Adriana Ayales, from Costa Rica, is a herbalist and educator who started the brand in Brooklyn to create a “farm to pharmacy” experience – the art of medicine making with herbs. Anima Mundi offers herbs from around the world, influenced by traditions and philosophies like Ayurveda, Chinese-Daoist Medicine, and European style alchemy. Brand products include adaptogens that aren’t specifically probiotics but that serve to support gut health like Chaga and Reishi powders that you can easily add to your smoothie, coffee or tea. Her brand is also to die for – you’ll want to stock up monthly!
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Happy V
Founder Daniella Levy battled repeat BV for many years, leading her to try “every possible product on the market” and changed her OB/GYN 4 times. Finding no solution, she created Happy V, a pre and probiotic brand focusing on the microbiome of the vagina. Yes! You also have a V microbiome and you must keep them healthy and happy. Made with clinically proven ingredients at their clinically proven dosages, this is a physician-formulated, 100% natural, and drug-free probiotic that will help you balance vaginal pH and restore healthy bacteria….down there.
With a little bit of help, proper hydration, good, nutritious whole food, and not a lot of sugar, you too can make your gut love you to pieces.
