Gut Health Glossary

Compounds produced by gut bacteria as byproducts of their metabolism. These metabolites act as chemical messengers, influencing the brain, immune system, and overall health. Examples include short-chain fatty acids, neurotransmitter precursors, and vitamins.

The proportion of a nutrient or supplement that is absorbed and available for the body to use. Factors like gut health, timing, and form of the nutrient all affect bioavailability. A healthy microbiome can improve nutrient absorption.

A short-chain fatty acid produced when gut bacteria ferment dietary fiber. Butyrate is the primary fuel source for cells lining the colon and plays a key role in maintaining gut barrier integrity and reducing inflammation.

A measure of probiotic potency indicating the number of viable bacteria capable of multiplying. Progurt delivers 1 trillion CFU per sachet — 20x higher than most premium probiotics.

Temporary symptoms that can occur when harmful bacteria die and release toxins faster than the body can eliminate them. Symptoms may include fatigue, headaches, or digestive discomfort. The MEND Method's staged approach helps minimize die-off by preparing the terrain before introducing probiotics.

An unhealthy imbalance in the gut microbiome. Often involves loss of beneficial bacteria, overgrowth of potentially harmful bacteria, and loss of healthy diversity. Modern factors like antibiotics, processed foods, and stress can all contribute to dysbiosis.

A protective coating on supplements that prevents them from dissolving in stomach acid, allowing them to reach the intestines intact. This is important for ingredients that would be destroyed by stomach acid or that need to act in the intestines rather than the stomach.

The collection of gut bacteria that metabolize and regulate estrogen and other hormones. An imbalanced estrobolome can affect hormone levels throughout the body, potentially contributing to conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and hormonal symptoms.

A balanced microbiome state associated with health — the opposite of dysbiosis. Characterized by a stable, diverse microbial community in equilibrium with the host. The goal of the MEND Method is to support the transition from dysbiosis toward eubiosis.

The immune tissue located throughout the gut that houses approximately 70% of the body's immune cells. GALT is where the immune system learns to distinguish between harmful invaders and harmless substances like food.

A protein with carbohydrate chains attached. In the context of gut health, glycoproteins like those found in colostrum support immune function and gut barrier integrity. Progurt's Immuno Protein contains bioactive glycoproteins.

The protective lining that separates gut contents from the bloodstream. A healthy gut barrier allows nutrients through while keeping harmful substances out. When compromised, it's often referred to as "leaky gut."

The two-way communication system between the gut and the brain, involving neural, hormonal, and immune pathways. The gut microbiome plays a significant role in this connection, influencing mood, cognition, and mental wellbeing.

A condition where the body has difficulty breaking down histamine, leading to symptoms like headaches, flushing, hives, or digestive issues after eating histamine-rich foods. Some gut bacteria produce histamine while others help break it down — microbiome balance can influence histamine levels.

Progurt's proprietary probiotic strains derived from healthy human microbiomes. Unlike dairy-derived or soil-based probiotics, HPI strains are naturally adapted to thrive in the human gut — they're the same species humans are born with but may be missing due to modern disruptors.

A common functional gut disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. IBS is a symptom cluster with multiple potential underlying causes, including gut microbiome imbalances.

The degree to which the gut lining allows substances to pass through. Increased intestinal permeability — commonly called "leaky gut" — occurs when the tight junctions between gut cells become loose, allowing undigested food particles and toxins to enter the bloodstream.

An iron-binding protein found in colostrum and milk that supports immune function and gut health. Lactoferrin has antimicrobial properties and helps regulate iron absorption in the gut. When enteric-coated, it can reach the intestines intact.

Progurt's 4-stage gut restoration protocol: Mineralise (prepare the terrain), Establish (reseed with human-origin probiotics), Nourish (feed and fortify), Defend (maintain long-term). This staged approach addresses gut health systematically rather than with a single daily supplement.

The community of microorganisms — bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes — living in a particular environment, especially the digestive tract. The gut microbiome contains trillions of organisms that influence digestion, immunity, and overall health.

The microorganisms themselves that make up a microbiome. Often used interchangeably with "microbiome," though technically microbiota refers to the organisms while microbiome includes their genetic material and environment.

How quickly food and waste move through the digestive tract. Healthy motility means regular, comfortable bowel movements. Too fast causes diarrhea; too slow causes constipation. Minerals and hydration play key roles in supporting healthy motility.

A proteolytic enzyme derived from natto (fermented soybeans) that supports healthy circulation and blood flow. In the context of gut health, improved circulation helps deliver nutrients to healing gut tissue. Found in Progurt Enzymes.

Short chains of sugar molecules that act as prebiotics, selectively feeding beneficial gut bacteria. Types include galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), and gluco-oligosaccharides. Found naturally in breast milk and certain plants.

A hormonal condition affecting the ovaries, characterized by irregular periods, excess androgens, and often metabolic issues. Research shows the gut microbiome — particularly the estrobolome — plays a role in hormone regulation and may influence PCOS symptoms.

A severe form of PMS characterized by significant mood changes, irritability, and physical symptoms in the week before menstruation. The gut-brain axis and microbiome influence neurotransmitter production, which may affect PMDD severity.

A preparation of inanimate (non-living) microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit. Postbiotics include metabolites produced by probiotics during fermentation.

A substrate (typically fiber or specific carbohydrates) selectively used by beneficial gut microorganisms that confers a health benefit. Prebiotics "feed" the good bacteria in your gut. In the MEND Method, prebiotics are introduced in the Nourish phase after beneficial bacteria are established.

Live microorganisms that, when taken in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Not all probiotics are equal — factors like strain specificity, CFU count, and origin (human vs. dairy vs. soil) significantly impact effectiveness.

Compounds produced when gut bacteria ferment dietary fiber. The main SCFAs — acetate, propionate, and butyrate — fuel intestinal cells, support the gut barrier, reduce inflammation, and communicate with the immune and nervous systems. A healthy, diverse microbiome produces more SCFAs.

A condition where bacteria that normally live in the large intestine colonize the small intestine, causing bloating, gas, and digestive discomfort. SIBO often requires practitioner guidance and may need a modified approach to probiotic supplementation.

A specific genetic variant within a bacterial species. Strains matter significantly for probiotic effects — two probiotics of the same species but different strains can have very different health benefits. Progurt uses specific human-origin strains selected for their compatibility with the human gut.

Progurt's term for the gut conditions that determine what microorganisms can thrive. Terrain includes minerals, fluids, pH balance, digestion, and motility. The MEND Method starts with "Mineralise" because preparing the terrain first makes reseeding with probiotics more effective — like preparing soil before planting seeds.

Protein structures that seal the spaces between cells in the gut lining, controlling what can pass through. When tight junctions become loose or damaged, intestinal permeability increases (leaky gut). Factors like inflammation, stress, and certain foods can weaken tight junctions.

The longest cranial nerve, connecting the brain to the gut and other organs. It's the primary communication highway of the gut-brain axis, carrying signals in both directions. About 80% of vagal fibers send information from the gut to the brain, making it crucial for mood, stress response, and digestion.