The world of bacteria and the microbiome is utterly confusing. Do we need a daily probiotic, or do we just need to eat prebiotic fibers? Are these even worth the investment, or should I just eat probiotic foods? So many questions come to mind for this topic and I am happy to breakdown a list of my favorite prebiotics and probiotics, and educate you on why you might need both of these on a regular basis. Let’s dive in to my list and give you a list of products that you can research on your own to make an informed decision. As always, make a list and ask your Doctor. If you Doctor doesn’t know or have advice, then you need another Doctor and I recommend a Functional Medicine Doctor.
What this post will cover:
- Why we need to care for our microbiome
- Do I need prebiotics?
- Do I need probiotics?
- What are the best brands/products to buy?
- Resources to learn more about this topic
Why we need to care for our microbiome
In case you are new to the world of gut health, the microbiome is where all health begins. In your gut you have an ecosystem of bacteria. Some of it is good and some is bad. This create the microbiome. You need to have a balance of more good bacteria over the bad. All of this bacteria determines your health because its connected to your immune system. The gut is 70% of your immune system. So you have to develop and protect all of this good bacteria to have better health outcomes. Have a lot of good bacteria can help prevent disease and it helps your body to fight off bad bacteria because its functioning properly.
In America, we eat processed foods, sugars, refined grains, etc. All of these grow bad bacteria in our guts. Eliminating these and implementing prebiotic fibers and probiotic foods will help that good bacteria grow and it will kill off the bad bacteria, creating a wonderful microbiome. We will discuss these two things in further detail.
Do I need probiotics?
Yes! Whether you get them through foods like Kimchi, Miso, or Sauerkraut or, taking a supplement – your body needs them. Your body needs to have that probiotic because its good bacteria. As I mentioned above good bacteria needs to grown in our guts to create that healthy ecosystem to have long-term health with fewer illness or disease. Learn more about the benefits of probiotics from Dr. Axe, he has great education on the topic and then see my favorite brands listed below.
Do I need prebiotics?
This might surprise you but, YES! You need these too. I think this is the most underrated type of supplement or food consumed and it has such a great impact on our health. Prebiotics are what the Probiotics feed off of to grow that healthy bacteria. They work in harmony together. You need both to again perfect that ecosystem. Prebiotic fibers are found in lots of foods like artichokes, leeks, onions and garlic or you can go the supplement route (which I do) if you cannot consume enough in your diet. You will see my list below of favorite products to try (as always consult your Doctor!).
In summary, talk with your Doctor about pre and probiotics and get on the track towards a healthier you! Implementing these into your daily/weekly diet will do wonders for your immune system and digestion. Plus, it is a great cancer prevention as well. Preventing colon cancer is easy when we consume enough of the right fibers through food. Hope you enjoyed learning a little tiny bit about this topic, make sure you check out my favorite products below and some additional resources so you can learn more!
What are the best brands/products to buy?
- Klaire Labs – great high-quality probiotics and they have some for infants and kids!
- SunFiber – my favorite prebiotic fiber. Its tasteless and I just mix it in water.
- Teleflora – a great soil based probiotic for daily use, a reputable brand
- Psyllium Husk – another great prebiotic choice that you can use in smoothies or other mixtures
- Bulletproof InnerFuel – this is another prebiotic fiber you can mix into liquid and drink, tasteless!
- Ancient Nutrition – This store is from Dr. Axe, he created his own line of supplements and has them by demographics like male and female to find the best fit for you.
Resources to learn more about the microbiome
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One Response
Thank you