Get Gutsy with Carla: Why I created IMMUNE FOOD
At the heart of The Beauty Chef is our belief that beauty begins in the belly, and I’m passionate about ensuring that every formula I develop always speaks to this fundamental philosophy...
But my drive to develop new formulas that deliver real, tangible results extends far beyond simply the realm of beauty. While I am passionate about sharing the knowledge that glowing, radiant skin begins within—I also want to empower our community to feel the health and wellbeing benefits that come from a happy belly, too.
As it’s estimated that more than 70 percent of our immune system resides in our gut, it’s therefore essential that we nourish our digestive health in order to feel healthy, well and vital. And it’s this goal that drove me to develop our latest product—IMMUNE FOOD™ Inner Beauty Support.
Why Is A Healthy Gut So Important For Immunity?
With such a large proportion of our immune system stemming from our gut, it’s no surprise that the two are therefore inextricably linked. We now know that our immunity is more robust if our gut microbiome is more diverse—and while there are a myriad of ways to influence our microbiome, our diet is the quickest, most effective and most profound way to do so.
When it comes to feeding our microbiome, just like our microbes, diversity and balance is essential. Munching on foods that therefore nourish our microbes is ideal—fresh fruits, lean protein sources, healthy wholegrains, nuts, legumes and seeds are all great. But what’s most important is to include lots of fresh, fibre-rich vegetables in your diet daily. Studies show that dietary fibre promotes the proliferation of good bacteria in the gut and what’s more, when these beneficial bacteria ferment fibre in your large intestine, they produce anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)—such as butyrate—which not only help to bolster the integrity of the gut lining, but our immune health, too. Artichokes, onions, asparagus, carrots and apples are all good sources.
Fermented foods are also a powerful way to nourish your microbes and subsequently support your immune health. While you may already know that fermented foods contain probiotics—or beneficial bacteria—they also contain postbiotics which are the byproducts of probiotics that have died during the fermentation process. And what’s wonderful is that evolving research is continuing to illustrate that these ‘waste products’ actually harbour incredible anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties.
The Power Of IMMUNE FOOD™
While I’d love to think that we all enjoy a perfectly balanced, fibre-rich diet daily, the reality is that with our modern day lifestyles and the environmental stressors we encounter daily, we often need a little extra support… especially when it comes to bolstering our immunity.
This is why I saw a gap in our range and decided to develop IMMUNE FOOD™ Inner Beauty Support. Designed specifically to help support immune system function and promote improved wellbeing, this delicious berry-banana flavoured blend contains an abundance of bio-fermented wholefood ingredients as well as essential vitamins and minerals that are known to support immune health.
Some of my favourites include Certified Organic mushrooms—including turkey tail and shiitake—which have been used for centuries in Chinese healing modalities. Shiitake mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D—which is essential for a healthy immune system and an improved immune response—and every serve of IMMUNE FOOD™ also contains 100mg of beta-glucans—compounds which are naturally occurring in mushrooms like turkey tail and help to bolster immunity.
This innovative formula also contains iodine-rich kelp and prebiotic green banana starch—which both help to feed the beneficial bacteria—and zinc which supports healthy hair and nails, as well as immune health. The addition of vitamin C from sources including acerola cherry further promotes healthy immune system function and general wellbeing. And considering vitamin C is also essential for collagen formation and protects the skin from free radical damage, your complexion will benefit from this tasty blend, too.
As we all head into another year of uncertainty when it comes to our collective health and wellness—our hope at The Beauty Chef is that we can continue to support your individual health, beauty and wellbeing with products like IMMUNE FOOD™ that truly nourish you from within.