Gut health is a hot topic currently on the wellness circuit. Our digestive tract is made up of billions of bacteria which aid in our digestion, absorption of nutrients, help strengthen our immune system, and even plays a role in our cognitive function. However, it is more confusing now, more than ever to figure out what you should and shouldn’t be using to help this microbiome thrive in your intestines. Here are a few tips and strategies to get you started on the right path toward optimal gut health:

First, what is the difference between a prebiotic and probiotic? Prebiotics are specialized plant fiber that acts as a food for the good bacteria. This stimulates growth among the preexisting good bacteria. Probiotics are living strains of bacteria that add to the population of good bacteria already existing in your digestive system.

Where do we find these occurring naturally in food sources?

Probiotics:

• Miso soup
• Sauerkraut
• Kimchi
• Kombucha
• Kefir (dairy and nondairy)
• Pickled vegetables

(Keep in mind that pickles need to be unpasteurized to have probiotics)

Prebiotics:

• Bananas
• Onions
• Garlic
• Berries
• Legumes
• Beans
• Peas
• Oats
• Jerusalem artichokes
• Asparagus
• Dandelion greens
• Leeks
• Apple skin
• Chicory root

How do I benefit the most?

Before you start taking prebiotics and probiotics, there are a few things you should keep in mind to make sure they’re as effective as they could be. Make sure your probiotics are kept cold in the refrigerator — heat can kill them. They’re living organisms after all! You don’t have to worry about this with prebiotics. 

Also, if you’ve recently taken antibiotics because of a bad infection, those can kill the good bacteria in your gut — not just the bad ones. So it’s worth repopulating after you’ve finished your treatment.

Finally, a word on supplements. Probiotic supplements are made to repopulate your gut with specific species of bacteria. The type, quality and quantity can change from brand to brand. To ensure you’re addressing what you want to address, you should research your condition and take the right probiotic to combat it. We offer an excellent source of supplements at the office that help get you started in feeling your best!