THE BIRTH OF GOOD GUT HEALTH
- Written by Sean Sowerby
THE WAXY SUBSTANCE ON A NEWBORN BABY INSPIRES WORLD-FIRST GUT HEALTH SUPPLEMENT
When a full-term baby is born it arrives in the world covered in a thick, white, waxy coating called Vernix caseosa. This naturally occurring biofilm not only protects a baby’s skin from infection and fluid inside the womb, but Australian scientists have discovered it is an important ingredient to good gut health, too.
Australian Biotechnology company, Vernx, has created the world’s first all-encompassing gut supplement, using the same natural branched fats that humans ingest as babies to help support a healthy gut.
“What we’ve found, as babies develop in the womb the waxy substance on their skin breaks off and is ingested, so it’s actually the baby’s first meal and helps set up the baby’s gut for the rest of its life,” Dr Craig Patch, Co-founder and CEO of Vernx said.
In his studies, Professor Tom Brenna noticed premature babies that don’t develop Vernix caseosa suffer gut issues throughout their life. This waxy Vernix contains branched fats which are uniquely found in the gut of newborn babies and in human breast milk. Professor Brenna tested the hypothesis that by providing branched fats to premature infants you could improve gut health. However, they discovered branched fats don’t just improve the gut health of babies – they improve the gastrointestinal health for all ages.
“Using our proprietary strain of Bacillus subtilis selected for branched fat content, we are able to provide nutrition for healthy bacteria and gut cells – which together support a healthy gut and fast-track recovery from gastrointestinal symptoms,” added Dr Patch.
Vernx’s Daily Peribiotics are a new category of gut health product that, unlike probiotics and prebiotics, focus on the entire foundation of gut health.
“The gut is now thought of as the body’s second brain and plays a vital role in defending our immune system and so much more. It is estimated that 50%* of Australian adults suffer unpleasant gut issues such as bloating, gas and constipation – most of which are undiagnosed and mistreated, and sadly, that number is growing,” said Dr Patch.
Vernx Daily Peribiotics are recommended for use by anyone looking to improve gut health, including children over the age of three, and people who suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms, including bloating, indigestion, gas, hard stools and diarrhoea.
The majority of Australians suffering gut problems remain undiagnosed and there is increasing evidence linking poor gut health to mood disorders and depression.
“There’s a connection between the gut and the brain, there’s a connection between the gut and the heart and the liver and pretty much everything,” Nutrition scientist Dr Joanna McMillan said.
“Our gut microbiome forms very early in the first two to three years of life and that seems to be crucial for setting up your gut health for the rest of your life.”
Ben Thompson, 32, who’s battled gut problems his entire life, has been taking Vernx daily for two months and says it’s a game-changer.
“I feel better, I do, I feel one-hundred percent better,” Mr Thompson said.
An almost tasteless product, Vernx’s Daily Peribiotics come in powder form and can simply be mixed into water, milk, smoothies or be sprinkled over yoghurt or cereal.
Vernx manufactures its branched fats from good bacteria, using a common and safe process called fermentation. And no, they don’t harvest it from babies!
Vernx’s Daily Peribiotics are available to order online. For more information go to vernx.com.
*Source: 18-00623_HB_GutHealth+WeightLossReportJan19
Daily Bulletin
