Brenda Watson founded ReNew Life in 1997, and now ReNew Life is the leading digestive care company found in health stores in the U.S. and Canada. Brenda is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and has a special on PBS: The Road to Perfect Health – Balance Your Gut, Heal Your Body, an in-depth look at how chronic diseases start with an unhealthy digestive system. You can check the PBS schedule to see when it will be on, and also view clips on Brenda’s YouTube page.
ReNew life has all kinds of probiotics, and they even have a tool to help decide which probiotic is right for you. They also have Digestive Enzymes (which I am definitely going to look for!), Omega Supplements, Fiber Supplements and many more products for your digestive and overall health.
I’ve heard lots of talk about probiotics over the years, but I had never tried them until a few months ago. In February, my husband and daughter both were on antibiotics, so I sent my husband to our local organic market to look for probiotics. I had read that probiotics would help keep their bodies’ natural balance and avoid nasty side effects from the antibiotics.
He didn’t really know what he was looking for (and I didn’t really know what to tell him to look for) so he asked an employee. He was told that ReNew Life was “the best,” and he bought the Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion (MSRP $37.99/30) for himself, and the Flora Bear for Kids (MSRP $14.99) for our daughter.
The adult probotics are easy to swallow, and are enteric-coated, delayed release capsules, so they dissolve in your intestines (instead of your stomach) so they can do their work.
The Flora Bear probiotics have a cute bear design, are easy to chew (not too chalky) and taste good. They are mildly sweet and have an orange flavor.
After our first experience with probiotics, I wasn’t thinking they were some sort of miracle, but no one suffered any ill effects from the antibiotics! When we all got the stomach bug a few weeks later, my husband and I were both frantically digging in the fridge for leftover probotics!
Without making this post “TMI,” I have always had “issues” with my digestive system, and they have been pretty unbearable over the past few weeks (anyone with IBS can sympathize!) I picked up a bottle of the Ultimate Flora Critical Colon 80 Billion (first picture in the post) to try. The MSRP is $49.99, but they were $42.99 at my store. It seems awfully expensive for 30 pills but first of all, you only have to take one per day. Plus, really? I have told my DH that I would gladly pay more than that in exchange for living my life without always having my digestive system on my mind and suffering daily.
After taking these once daily for a little over a week, I actually felt “normal.” It was pretty darn amazing.
I received a bottle of the Buddy Bear (MSRP $13.99) probiotics to review. Like the Flora Bear, they have a nice, easily chewable texture and a mildly sweet orange flavor.
They are recommended for children 2 and up, but my 23-month old son has been taking them too. Both of my kids love them and ask for them every day!
I really feel like Brenda Watson and ReNew Life know digestive health, and their products work. I’ll continue to buy them, since they are working so well for us.
Please note that I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on the internet. Do not confuse my opinions for medical advice. Digestive issues can be signs of serious illness. IBS symptoms can be similar to far more serious problems such as: Colon Cancer, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, Celiac, Bowel Obstructions, Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis, Gallstones, Food Allergies/Intolerances, Bacterial Infections, Intestinal Parasites, Ovarian Cancer and even Endometriosis. If you are experiencing digestive distress more than occasionally, it’s very important that you see your doctor to rule out other diseases.
Giveaway: ReNew Life is offering one reader a $50 Gift Certificate to spend on anything they like at ReNewLife.com!
Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. I love comments (great way to remind yourself you entered) but comments do not count as entries.
Mandatory entries include your name, and email address.
You may receive bonus entries if you 1. “Like” my new Facebook page (Please note this is a new page titled Change-Diapers.com. You must like the new page for this entry, feel free to “unlike” the old Fitteds and Pockets and Snappis, Oh My! page after you do.) 2. “Like” Brenda Watson on Facebook and/or 3. Sign up for Brenda Watson’s Newsletter (right column of the page, third heading down.
I will accept entries until Thursday, May 5th, 2011 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. I will select a winner using random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my giveaway rules page for complete details. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S.
# of entries received as of giveaway close: 116
FTC compliance: I received the Buddy Bear Probiotics at no cost in order to review them. Other items were purchased at normal retail prices. I was not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.
Maria wants to live in a world where cloth diapers are the norm and moms can make parenting choices without judgement. When she’s not chasing her 18, 14 and 11-year old kids around, you might find her checking out the latest gadgets, organizing something (again) or exercising in the fresh air. 
