Why prebiotics and probiotics are so important to health
Gut health is all about prebiotics and probiotics. You may have heard the words before, but do you know what prebiotics and probiotics actually are?
Prebiotics are mostly fiber from carbs that the body can’t digest. Prebiotics feed the GOOD bacteria in your gut. Examples of foods containing prebiotics are:
- legumes, beans, peas
- bananas
- berries
- asparagus
- garlic
- onions
Probiotics are live bacteria found in food and supplements. Examples of foods containing probiotics are:
- sauerkraut
- kimchi
- kefir
- certain yogurts
Under-consumption of colorful vegetables could lead to a lack of both prebiotics AND probiotics in your gut microbiome. Yes, veggies DO matter that much!
Why is this important information to know?
What you feed your gut matters. High sugar and high fat diets feed the BAD bacteria in your gut which allows them to multiple and cause you to crave MORE sugar and fat, feeding the cycle.
Should I take a prebiotic or probiotic supplement?
Including prebiotics and probiotics in supplements is a huge selling point. Who doesn’t want to help balance the bacteria in their gut??
I would exercise caution, however, when buying a supplement for several reasons:
- Companies don’t have to prove their marketing claims because supplements aren’t regulated.
- Fiber isn’t always included in the supplement, leaving the bacteria with nothing to eat and reducing how effective it is.
- Some probiotics don’t make it past your stomach acid, negating their purpose.
What to look for in a probiotic
Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the dominant strains found in your GI tract. Check that your product contains those. Also look for a product with at least 1,000,000 CFUs per gram at a MINIMUM, but preferably 100,000,000 CFUs. This will help ensure the product can survive the trip to your GI tract.
If you’d like to learn more about gut health, check out this post. Have any questions? Comment and I’m happy to answer them!
