Ross Pelton, Author at Essential Formulas Essential Life Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:27:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 Coffee and the Gut Microbiome & Gut-Brain Axis https://essentialformulas.com/coffee-and-the-gut-microbiome-gut-brain-axis/ Tue, 12 May 2026 18:55:56 +0000 https://essentialformulas.com/?p=41112 Coffee, the Gut Microbiome, and the Brain: New Research Reveals a Powerful Connection For years, coffee has been associated with energy, focus, and even long-term health […]

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Coffee, the Gut Microbiome, and the Brain: New Research Reveals a Powerful Connection

For years, coffee has been associated with energy, focus, and even long-term health benefits. Now, a groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications suggests coffee may also play a significant role in shaping the gut microbiome and influencing the gut-brain axis.

Researchers from University College Cork investigated how habitual coffee consumption affects gut bacteria, microbial metabolites, mood, stress, and cognition in healthy adults. Their findings add to the growing body of evidence showing that what we consume can directly influence the microbiome — and in turn, our overall well-being.

Coffee Changes the Gut Microbiome

The study compared moderate coffee drinkers with non-coffee drinkers and found clear differences in gut microbiome composition and metabolic activity.

Interestingly, both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee altered the microbiome, suggesting that coffee’s benefits may extend beyond caffeine itself. Coffee contains hundreds of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols and antioxidants, many of which may interact with gut microbes.

Researchers also observed shifts in metabolites connected to neurotransmitter activity and gut-brain communication pathways.

The Gut-Brain Axis Continues to Gain Attention

Scientists increasingly recognize the microbiota–gut–brain axis as one of the body’s most important communication systems. The gut microbiome may influence:

• Mood and emotional balance
• Stress response
• Cognitive performance
• Immune activity
• Inflammation

This latest research strengthens the idea that dietary habits can shape both digestive and neurological health through the microbiome.

What This Means for Everyday Wellness

While coffee alone is not a solution for gut health, the study reinforces an important principle: the microbiome responds dynamically to what we consume every day.

A healthy microbiome is supported by:
• Fermented foods
• Diverse plant fibers
• Polyphenol-rich foods
• Healthy lifestyle habits
• Clinically studied probiotics

At Essential Formulas®, we have long believed that supporting the microbiome is foundational to whole-body wellness. The emerging science around the gut-brain axis continues to validate the importance of maintaining microbial balance for digestive, immune, and cognitive health.

The Bigger Picture

Researchers concluded that coffee may act as a modulator of the microbiota–gut–brain axis and that microbiome patterns could potentially predict coffee consumption habits.

As microbiome science advances, one message becomes increasingly clear: our gut microbes are deeply connected to how we think, feel, and function.

Citations

Boscaini S. et al. Habitual coffee intake shapes the gut microbiome and modifies host physiology and cognition. Nature Communications (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-71264-8

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]]> Common Signs Your Probiotic Is Working – How to Tell? https://essentialformulas.com/tell-probiotic-working/ Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:50:39 +0000 http://essentialformulas.com/?p=13106 A great place to begin a discussion about how probiotics work is by understanding what they are and why the health and wellness profession is so interested in them.

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Original Post Date: March 9, 2021

Assessing Your Probiotics:
Signs They're Making a Difference

A great place to begin a discussion about how probiotics work is by understanding what they are and why the health and wellness profession is so interested in them. Researchers find them so fascinating that more than 1,000 studies on the effects of probiotics on the human body are currently registered on the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform.

Interested in Probiotics?

Try Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics or Dr. Ohhira’s Professional Formula to help with digestive health.

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are microbes that confer positive health effects on the host when introduced into the human body. These microbes are available naturally in certain fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and miso. Naturally cultured beverages such as kefir, buttermilk, and kombucha also contain probiotics.

Probiotic supplements are an effective and convenient way to add probiotics to your diet. Make sure to choose a quality probiotic supplement like Dr. Ohhira’s that has multiple strains and is free from potential allergens, unwanted bacteria, chemicals, and pesticides.

Many different bacteria are considered probiotics, but most come from strains of three types of genera: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and a yeast called Saccharomyces boulardii. 

The Probiotic Triad

There are three elements to think about when you take a probiotic. Let’s explore the probiotic triad and how each of the three elements work.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are the food probiotics consume and thrive on. These include foods that contain resistant starches, such as legumes, beans, green bananas, oats, tomatoes, and apples. These starches are “resistant” because they do not break down in your small intestine, but probiotics consume them in the large intestine if they are present. 

Probiotics

Probiotics are microorganisms that, when introduced into the body, grow and colonize, generating positive effects in the gut, and influencing many other body systems as well. The most-studied strains are Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB12. 

Postbiotics

Postbiotics are the products of the probiotics’ actions in the body. Postbiotics include enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, and short-chain fatty acids that regulate inflammation and metabolism and help with multiple conditions. Most of the positive effects of probiotics on the body come from postbiotics.

What do Effective Probiotics Feel Like?

Probiotics effects usually begin in the gastrointestinal tract but influence systems throughout the body. People frequently use probiotics to help with complaints such as diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, inflammation, and abdominal discomfort. Improvement in these symptoms is a way to judge if the probiotic is working. Healthy stools should be well-formed and not too hard, loose, or watery.

Most people experience an occasional “bad stool day,” which is relatively common and not particularly serious. However, if diarrhea or constipation is an ongoing problem, seeing your medical practitioner and discussing whether probiotics could help is essential.

Numerous studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals report that specific strains of probiotic bacteria can help with gut issues. Most studies report positive findings, but researchers have not isolated particular strains that improve specific conditions. Many research studies focus on gut issues, but without conclusive evidence, most recommend more research and using a probiotic containing multiple strains. Remember that Dr. Ohhira’s supplements contain 13 probiotic strains that help support different systems in the body. 

Probiotics and Gas

Foul-smelling and excessive gas are GI symptoms related to bacterial imbalance. Flatulence or passing gas is normal; everyone does it. However, foul-smelling gas indicates a disturbance in the intestinal microflora. Copious intestinal gas can also cause abdominal bloating and, in some cases, discomfort. People frequently use probiotics to help resolve these problems.

When you use a probiotic supplement to treat these complaints, how quickly the symptoms resolve is another way to measure the relative effectiveness of the product. Many people report effects in a few days; others report improvements over weeks or months of consistent probiotic use.

Food Poisoning

Food poisoning frequently causes nausea and vomiting, stomachache, or fever, which are the body’s attempts to eliminate the harmful bacteria you have ingested. 

An occasion of food poisoning can interrupt the microbial balance in your intestinal tract. Probiotics support a healthy microbiome and can help bring the gut back into balance, not only during the bout of food poisoning, but they may improve GI health so you are not as prone to food-borne upsets in the future.

If you take a probiotic to help with food poisoning, the time it takes to recover can indicate your probiotic’s effectiveness.  

Beyond Improved Gut Health

Our microbiome is not only in our gut. It extends to the skin, urogenital tract, mouth, mucosa, and mammary glands. Studies have found probiotics helpful for other parts of the microbiome beyond the gut.

Probiotics you take for one condition may help improve the body’s general biome, so over time of regularly ingesting a quality probiotic, you may see improvements in other areas, such as the following:

Here is a little more information about three crucial systems:

Skin

Your skin is part of your microbiome, so as you begin taking a probiotic supplement, you may find that some skin concerns improve. A bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus is associated with various skin issues. People with a healthy skin microbiome have a helpful bacterium that helps combat this and the 23 other bacterial strains that scientists have implicated in skin conditions.

Lifestyle changes and probiotic supplementation are critical for improving your skin microbiome. Here are some changes to consider:

  • Maintain a healthy gut microbiome
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Reduce sugar intake
  • Understand any allergies or sensitivities that could be contributing to your skin issues
  • Get enough omega-3 fatty acids
Immune System

Probiotics also may play a vital role in regulating the immune system. Several documented trials have found that ingesting certain probiotics “…may have significant effects on endpoints such as promoting the immune response, and reducing the incidence, duration, and severity . . . in children and adults.”

At Essential Formulas, we believe that regularly taking high-quality probiotics is an important proactive step you can take to improve your immune system and promote good health. So, if you begin taking probiotics and feel more energetic and healthier, it could be because of your probiotics.

Detoxification

Our modern lifestyle exposes us to chemicals and toxins our forebears did not have to battle. But can probiotics help offset the strains our bodies face as a result of a modern lifestyle? A 2022 study indicates that they can. It concluded that specific probiotic strains and combinations offer “significant health outcomes and positively impact…detoxification processes.” 

Detoxification is difficult to measure without scientific tools. If you feel healthier and more energetic over time, you may be able to attribute it to your probiotic regimen. 

Choosing a Quality Probiotic

The quality of the probiotic you take makes all the difference in your results. At Dr. Ohhira’s, we focus on quality above all. We use only the purest ingredients for our probiotics, and we culture thirteen different probiotic strains for three years before encapsulating them in a gel cap for your convenience. 

The bacterial strains have three years to find out how to co-exist, the result being robust microorganisms that have the greatest chance of survival in your gut. Each capsule includes prebiotics that feed the organisms in the capsule and the helpful bacteria already existing in your body. After three years of growing in our pure, natural culture medium, the probiotics create postbiotics, so you realize their benefits quickly. 

You deserve the well-being a quality probiotic can give you. Choose the best product, which we believe is Dr. Ohhira’s, maintain a consistent regimen, and enjoy your improved overall health and energy.

If you have any questions, we invite you to visit our website, which has many resources to help you learn more about how probiotics impact different body systems. We’d also love to hear from you. You can reach us online or call at 972-255-3918

FAQs

How Can You Tell If Probiotics Are Working?

Initially, you may notice that you are a little gassier, more bloated, or thirsty than usual, and your bowel habits may change, but within about two weeks, this should pass. Probiotics help support your overall health and well-being. If you notice improvements and haven’t changed anything else significant, it could be because of your probiotic. 

What Do You Feel When You Take Probiotics?

Most people notice little or no difference when they begin taking probiotics. Some report feeling a little worse for a few days. Most adjust within a week or two. Every person and microbiome is different. If you are still experiencing uncomfortable symptoms after taking a probiotic for two weeks, discontinue it and talk with your doctor. 

Do Probiotic Supplements Kick in Right Away?

If you take probiotics for short-term GI relief, you might see results within a few days. If you take them for a chronic concern or general well-being, it may take weeks before you notice a positive difference. It takes time for the bacteria to set up shop in your body and begin creating the postbiotics that influence your overall well-being.

How Do You Know If Your Probiotic is Good?

With all the choices out there, it can be baffling to find the right probiotic. Here are a few things to look for:

  • Look for purity first. Check to ensure it is hypoallergenic and free of chemicals, pesticides, undesirable bacteria, and colorants. 
  • Make sure it can survive the stomach acids to reach the intestines alive.
  • Does it have multiple bacterial strains?
  • Is it shelf-stable?
  • Is it based on ingredients you recognize?
Do probiotics make you poop or feel gassy?

While most people who take probiotics do so without adverse side effects, some people experience a minor increase in flatulence. It’s a byproduct of the GI tract undergoing changes and adjustments. The good news is that unless you have a sensitivity or allergy to one of the ingredients in the supplement, any increased gassiness should stop within a few weeks of consistent use.

Do probiotics make your poop stink?

No, though you may notice some other changes to your stool once you begin taking them. It’s not uncommon for probiotics to slightly alter the color or consistency of your stool, and some people report needing to go more frequently at the beginning of their probiotic regimen. However, increased stool odor is not associated with probiotic usage.

Do probiotics cause stinky gas?

No. Many people who take probiotics notice that their gas becomes LESS intense over time. A new probiotic may cause more frequent gas at first, but it shouldn’t be any smellier than before.

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]]> The Dr. Ohhira Difference https://essentialformulas.com/dr-ohhira-difference/ Fri, 27 Feb 2026 21:36:50 +0000 https://essentialformulas.com/?p=37796 Let’s discuss the Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics difference and explain how it is potentially more effective than all other commercial probiotics. In the process, you will learn why millions of people rely on Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics and why so many healthcare professionals recommend Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics to their clients and patients.

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Discover the Dr. Ohhira Difference!™

It is widely understood that intestinal probiotic bacteria play an important role in regulating good health. Most probiotics companies, on the market, simply cram large numbers of one or several strains of probiotic bacteria into capsules. Which is one of the many reasons most orally ingested probiotics are not effective. For example, stomach acid, which is 10,000 to 100,000 times stronger than the acidity in the intestines, kills most orally ingested probiotics. To learn more, visit www.naturalpharmacist.net/dilemma to read The Oral Probiotic Dilemma.

So why choose Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics? Let’s discuss the Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics difference and explain how it is potentially more effective than all other commercial probiotics. In the process, you will learn why millions of people rely on Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics and why so many healthcare professionals recommend Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics to their clients and patients.

Gut Health = Good Health                                                                      

The gut microbiome is a critical regulator of human health. Hippocrates, called The Father of Medicine, is credited with saying “All disease begins in the gut” over 2,000 years ago.  Today, gut health experts have shown that bacterial imbalance or dysbiosis is associated with so many of our current health concerns.

Feeding Your Probiotic Bacteria

Your probiotic bacteria are living organisms that must be fed well to thrive and survive. Dietary fibers and polyphenols are the ‘food’ that probiotic bacteria require. The best sources of these compounds are plant-based foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Multiple scientific studies report 80-95% of Americans DO NOT consume adequate amounts of these plant-based nutrients that support a healthy gut microbiome.

The Importance of Diversity                                                              

A healthy gut microbiome contains 800 to 1,000 different species of probiotic bacteria. Diverse species of bacteria are like animals that require various types of food. People are encouraged to eat a little bit of many types of fruits and vegetables daily, which provide a wide range of fibers and polyphenols to support a healthy gut microbiome. Watch this 8-minute YouTube video, Ross Salad Buzz, that learn how to make a microbiome-supporting salad using assorted vegetables.

 

A Superior Probiotic Formula                                         

Thousands of studies have been published explaining the health benefits of fermented foods. Dr. Ohhira created a 3-year fermentation process that utilizes multiple strains of probiotic bacteria along with different fiber and polyphenol-rich foods (fruits, vegetables, mushrooms & seaweeds) in fermentation vats to produce Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics. Hence, Dr. Ohhira’s is a fermented whole-food probiotic. After 3 years of fermentation, the bacteria have converted the foods into Postbiotic Metabolites. This is The Dr. Ohhira’s Difference!

Postbiotic Metabolites: The ‘Magic’ of Fermentation!                               

Over 99% of the bacteria in the intestinal tract reside in the colon. This is where bacteria utilize a process, called fermentation, that converts food components into compounds known as Postbiotic Metabolites. Postbiotic Metabolites have a wide range of health-regulating effects, which is why they are being recognized as The New Frontier in Microbiome Science. Since most people fall far short on their consumption of these dietary elements, it can have serious health consequences.

Postbiotic Metabolites are Essential Nutrients

Various vitamins, minerals, amino acids, Omega fatty acids and Short-chained Fatty Acids or SCFA’s are classified as essential nutrients because they are imperative for human health. Similarly, Postbiotic Metabolites are compounds that are also necessary for overall wellness. Most of our essential nutrients come from the food we eat. And these nutrients are the food source for the probiotic bacteria to create Postbiotic Metabolites. These are critical regulators of the digestive system and the immune system. Once absorbed systemically, they influence the functioning of your brain, heart, liver, kidneys, skin and bones.

The importance of Postbiotic Metabolites was emphasized in a paper published in the Oct. 2021 issue of Journal of Immunology, in which author Cathryn Nagler, PhD stated “It is now clear that the depletion of microbial metabolites beneficial to host health is associated with a rapid rise in non-communicable chronic diseases.”[i]

The probiotic bacteria, in most people, do not produce adequate amounts of Postbiotic Metabolites, due to poor diets, the overuse of antibiotics, environmental toxins and numerous other disruptions to the microbiome. Enter the power of Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics, which directly delivers over 500 postbiotic metabolites.

Effective & User-friendly

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics accomplishes what we refer to as Rapid Microbiome Restoration. We believe it is the fastest and most effective method to improve the gut microbiome and intestinal health.

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics are user-friendly. They do not need to be refrigerated, they can be taken any time, even on an empty stomach. Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics do not contain any artificial additives, preservatives, animal by-products, pesticides, or herbicides. They are non-GMO,100% vegetarian, and hypoallergenic (no dairy, soy or gluten).

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics, a product you can trust! Try the Dr. Ohhira’s Difference for yourself!

 

Have a question about probiotics? Click here to check out our Probiotics FAQs.

[i] Nagler, CR. Modern World Influences on the Microbiome and Their Consequences for Immune-Mediated Disease. Journal of Immunology. Oct. 2021;207(7):1695-1696.

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]]> IMCJ – Postbiotic Metabolites: A Paradigm Shift in Microbiome Science https://essentialformulas.com/imcj-postbiotic-metabolites-article/ Tue, 06 Jan 2026 19:39:33 +0000 https://essentialformulas.com/?p=40252 Discover the “Dr. Ohhira’s Advantage” in Ross Pelton’s latest article, which explores why postbiotic metabolites are the true key to repairing a damaged gut ecosystem. This […]

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]]> Discover the “Dr. Ohhira’s Advantage” in Ross Pelton’s latest article, which explores why postbiotic metabolites are the true key to repairing a damaged gut ecosystem.

This piece, published in Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal, explains how our unique 3-to-5-year fermentation process allows bacteria to produce essential nutrients and immune boosting peptides that simple probiotics cannot match.

IMCJ_24_6reprintDownload

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]]> Microbiome: Better Predictor of Long-Term Health Than Your Genes https://essentialformulas.com/microbiome-long-term-health/ Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:00:00 +0000 https://essentialformulas.com/?p=20781 By Ross Pelton, RPh, PhD, CCNScientific Director, Essential Formulas What’s More Important for Your Health: Your Genes or Your Gut? For decades, we’ve been told that […]

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]]> By Ross Pelton, RPh, PhD, CCN
Scientific Director, Essential Formulas

What’s More Important for Your Health: Your Genes or Your Gut?

For decades, we’ve been told that our genes are our destiny, holding the blueprint for our long-term health. But what if that’s only half the story? Exciting research is revealing that the trillions of tiny organisms living in your gut—known as the microbiome—may actually be a more powerful predictor of your overall wellness.

Let’s explore what the science says.

Meet Your “Second Genome”

You might be surprised to learn that your body isn’t just your DNA. The Human Microbiome Project discovered that while you have about 20,000 human genes, your gut microbes collectively contain over 3.3 million unique genes.

This vast microbial community is often called our “second genome,” and it raises a critical question: Which “genome” has a greater influence on your health?

What Groundbreaking Studies Suggest

Two large-scale studies have offered some fascinating clues.

Study #1: The FINRISK Study

This massive, 40-year study in Finland collected health data from thousands of people. In 2002, researchers also collected stool samples to analyze their microbiomes.

The Finding: Fifteen years later, scientists found that the composition of a person’s gut microbiome was a significant predictor of their long-term health status. The study suggested that the health of the microbiome was a powerful indicator of wellness, independent of other factors like genetics or lifestyle.

Study #2: A Major Disease Review

A separate meta-analysis reviewed 47 different studies to compare the predictive power of genes versus the microbiome. The analysis covered 13 common health conditions.

The Finding: Overall, the results showed that an analysis of a person’s microbiome was approximately 20% more accurate at predicting their health status than an analysis of their human DNA. For certain aspects of gastrointestinal health, the microbiome was even 50% more accurate.

What This Means for You

The takeaway from this research is empowering: While you can’t change your genes, you can influence your microbiome.

These studies suggest that maintaining a healthy, balanced gut microbiome is a critical factor for long-term wellness.

The Power of a Diverse Gut “Ecosystem”

Think of your gut microbiome as a lush rainforest or a vibrant coral reef. The health of any ecosystem depends on biodiversity. A gut with a wide variety of different beneficial bacteria species is stronger, more resilient, and functions better.

So, how do you support this diversity?

A foundational way to support microbiome diversity is by consuming a wide variety of plant-based foods. Different species of bacteria “eat” different kinds of foods, primarily dietary fibers and polyphenols.

You can find these in:

  • Colorful vegetables and fruits
  • Whole grains
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Herbs and spices
  • Even dark chocolate!

The Missing Piece: Postbiotic Metabolites

When your friendly gut bacteria (probiotics) digest the plant fibers and polyphenols (prebiotics), they produce a third, crucial category of compounds: Postbiotic Metabolites.

These beneficial compounds are the “output” of a healthy, functioning microbiome. They are essential for:

  • Supporting the integrity of the gut lining.
  • Helping to maintain a harmonious balance of bacteria.
  • Supporting healthy immune function.
  • Nourishing the entire gut ecosystem.
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The “Malnourished Microbiome“

For most of human history, our ancestors ate a diet incredibly rich in diverse fibers and plant compounds. Today, our modern diets—often high in processed foods—can lack the variety needed to feed our microbes.

Scientists call this the “malnourished microbiome.” When our gut bacteria are starved, they can’t produce the rich blend of postbiotic metabolites your body needs. This can, in turn, challenge the gut lining and affect the balance of the entire ecosystem.

A Comprehensive Approach with Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics

In addition to focusing on a healthy, plant-rich diet, another way to support your gut is by introducing postbiotic metabolites directly.

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics offer a unique approach. They are produced through a multi-year fermentation process using whole foods, including fruits, mushrooms, and seaweeds. This careful process results in a complete formula that delivers:

  • PREbiotics: The food to nourish beneficial bacteria.
  • PRObiotics: Live, active strains to support microbial balance.
  • POSTbiotic Metabolites: The key compounds produced by the bacteria, providing comprehensive support for your gut environment.

The postbiotic metabolites in Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics help nourish the gut and support a balanced microbiome. This three-in-one approach is why Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics has gained a worldwide reputation as a trusted, comprehensive supplement for supporting gastrointestinal health.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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