Why You Need Prebiotics and Probiotics
Imagine your gut microbiome as a thriving rainforest. Within this ecological system, numerous plants coexist symbiotically. However, if this delicate equilibrium is disrupted, the more fragile yet beneficial plants die as the harmful ones take over. Think of probiotics as soldiers fighting for your gut health by supplying supportive plants to your gut microbiome to keep the delicate balance. On the other hand, prebiotics nourish these good plants and encourage their growth, fortifying your gut’s defenses.
Probiotics are an essential supplement that I recommend everyone take to support optimal digestive health. Yet, you may not know that a prebiotic is just as vital to your gut health. So, what’s the difference between probiotics and prebiotics?
I’m going to tell you why you should take prebiotics, the importance of fiber in your diet, and share some exciting news about a physician-formulated prebiotic supplement in just a bit. First, let’s discuss the differences between prebiotics and probiotics.
Probiotic vs. Prebiotic
Keep in mind that prebiotics are essentially food for your good bacteria. Just as you need food for energy and nourishment, good bacteria need food for energy to fight off harmful bacteria in your gut. Let’s go deeper into the differences between prebiotics and probiotics.
Understanding Probiotics
Probiotics are living microorganisms that work harmoniously within your gut to support your body in various ways. They can be found in dietary supplements, fermented foods, and your body’s natural microbiome.
A healthy microbiome is linked with preventing diverse conditions, including ulcerative colitis, urinary tract infections, irritable bowel syndrome, Candida overgrowth, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and adult acne.
You have probably seen probiotics on the shelf at your local grocery store next to other supplements. Sadly, many of these products have no live bacteria in them. Probiotics should be:
refrigerated
have the specific bacteria content listed on the label
contain billions of bacteria
have the most beneficial strains
My favorite two probiotics are:
UltraBiotic Daily Multi-Strain for a healthy gut microbiome.
UltraBiotic Daily Multi-Strain is one of the most comprehensive probiotic supplements on the market, featuring a seven-strain blend of “friendly” microbial organisms (known as probiotics). UltraBiotic Daily Multi-Strain is manufactured with 30 billion colony-forming units (CFU) per serving for optimal efficacy.
Clinical research continues to demonstrate the proclivity of the probiotics in UltraBiotic Daily Multi-Strain to support a healthy human gastrointestinal (GI) tract and gut flora. These are some most-embraced probiotic strains for human wellness, with clinical evidence suggesting these beneficial microorganisms may promote:
robust gut microbiomes
macronutrient and micronutrient digestion
balanced inflammatory responses
vigorous immune function
regular bowel function
UltraBiotic Integrity for targeted probiotic support for gastrointestinal integrity and weight loss.
Proper gastrointestinal integrity is essential for many vital bodily processes, including digestive function and nutrient absorption, immune responses, heart and brain health, and body weight regulation.
The UltraBiotic Integrity Formula contains the well-researched probiotic strain of Lactobacillus plantarum as patented UALp-05™. This probiotic strain is generally lacking in the gut microbiome of individuals consuming a standard Western diet, as it is commonly found in fermented foods.
UltraBiotic Integrity is manufactured with 10 billion colony-forming units (CFU) of Lactobacillus plantarum as patented UALp-05™ per capsule to ensure proper efficacy. Research suggests that the benefits of UltraBiotic Integrity may include supporting the following:
Gastrointestinal integrity
Immune response
Heart health
Digestive function
Nutrient absorption
Lean body mass
Brain health
Skin elasticity
Now let’s look at probiotic benefits.
The Benefits of Probiotics
Probiotics, as live and beneficial bacteria, play a pivotal role in maintaining your gut’s bacterial balance. They undertake vital tasks within your body, including synthesizing the B vitamins thiamine and riboflavin, absorption of water, and defense against dangerous bacteria capable of disturbing your gut microbiome. Factors such as exposure to environmental toxins, consumption of a diet high in inflammatory processed foods, and stress fuel the growth of harmful bacteria within your gut. Moreover, even a single course of antibiotics eradicates not only the harmful bacteria but also the beneficial ones residing in your gut microbiome.
Here are a few benefits of probiotics and the importance of maintaining the proper balance:
Probiotics Support Your Immune System
Eighty percent of your immune system thrives within your gut. A properly functioning Digestive System is critical to supporting good gut health and promoting a healthy immune system response.
Probiotics Promote a Gut Balance
Probiotics aid in maintaining the correct equilibrium of gut flora in your body. Every individual possesses a blend of good and bad bacteria within their gut.
Probiotics Support Vaginal Wellness
Probiotics, including Lactobacillus, also influence vaginal bacteria. This probiotic produces lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, which supports the vagina in maintaining an acidic pH level. This high acid helps the vagina combat bacterial infections such as bacterial vaginosis.
Probiotics Promote Regular Bowel Movements
Regular bowel movements are vital for optimal health, enabling your body to expel toxins and waste products.
Probiotics soften the stool, allowing for easier passage through the colon. As an added benefit, establishing regularity can help lower blood pressure, as constipation can elevate it.
Probiotics Help Bowel Transit Time
Probiotics impact how long waste remains in your body. In general, a too-short transit time means your Digestive System has not had the opportunity to absorb as much water and nutrients as it should. This can result in diarrhea or loose stools, dehydration, and nutritional deficiencies. Conversely, a long transit time indicates that your Digestive System has trouble eliminating waste, causing constipation.
Remember, good bacteria keep harmful bacteria in check. Probiotics restore the balance within your gut and keep it functioning correctly. Prebiotics become essential in cases involving diets abundant in processed foods, toxin exposure, or antibiotic use. Let me tell you about prebiotics.
Understanding Prebiotics
Like all living organisms, your gut microbiota, also known as good bacteria, requires food for energy to perform at its peak. Prebiotics enter the picture by feeding the good bacteria within your gut microbiome. Without prebiotics, the beneficial bacteria may not effectively fight off the overgrowth of harmful bacteria. This holds particularly true if you contend with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), Candida overgrowth, or leaky gut, as good bacteria must work doubly hard to suppress the detrimental bacteria.
Prebiotics are dietary fibers from carbohydrates, which bypass digestion to get into your colon. Once in your colon, the microorganisms metabolize and ferment the prebiotics to survive, creating various byproducts to support your gut health.
When the microorganisms break down prebiotics within your gut, they create different short-chain fatty acids depending on the prebiotic. These short-chain fatty acids provide energy to the colon cells, enhance mucus production, and contribute to inflammation regulation and immune responses. However, that’s not all!
Benefits of Prebiotics
Prebiotics are a form of dietary fiber, which, unfortunately, most Americans do not consume enough in their diets. Dietary fiber adds bulk to your diet and makes you feel full faster. It makes sense that one of the benefits of prebiotics is supporting weight loss. Yet, the benefits of prebiotics extend far beyond weight management.
Here are more benefits that prebiotics support:
Digestive health
Reduced risk of autoimmune disease
Decreased risk of gut infections
Active immune system
Balanced inflammatory response
Appropriate cholesterol levels
Robust metabolism and weight loss
Now that you know the difference between prebiotics and probiotics, you might wonder whether you need both. The answer is a resounding yes! Incorporating prebiotics and probiotics enhances the strength and efficacy of your gut’s defenses against harmful bacteria. One way of getting more prebiotics involves incorporating more prebiotic-rich foods into your diet. Let’s look at the best prebiotic foods.
Top Prebiotic Foods
Numerous prebiotic-rich foods can be integrated into your diet in enjoyable and delectable ways. Below is a compilation of prebiotic foods that nourish the good bacteria within your gut.
Apples
The age-old adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” holds a significant amount of truth. Apples are an exceptional source of dietary fiber, brimming with antioxidants, polyphenols, and pectin. By consuming one or more apples daily, including the skin, you can improve your digestive health, boost metabolism, support healthy cholesterol levels, and promote an immune system response.
2. Asparagus
Incorporating asparagus into your diet promotes a hospitable environment for friendly gut bacteria. This versatile vegetable helps reduce inflammation, is rich in antioxidants, and has even been linked to preventing certain forms of liver cancer. Asparagus can be steamed and served as a side dish or in salads.
3. Bananas
Bananas are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals and are easy to find year-round. Slightly unripe bananas have potent effects as a prebiotic food source. They can increase the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, alleviate bloating, and improve muscle relaxation due to their high potassium content. However, individuals combating SIBO or avoiding carbs should consume bananas sparingly, as they are also high in carbohydrates and sugar.
4. Garlic
Garlic, an herb with a long tradition of medicinal use, owes part of its reputation to its potent antimicrobial properties. This prebiotic food can aid digestion and helps prevent gastrointestinal diseases. Research indicates that prebiotic foods like garlic can help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
5. Jerusalem Artichoke
Jerusalem artichoke is also known as the “earth apple.” Despite its name, this prebiotic food is not related to globe artichoke; instead, it is a species of sunflower with a delicious, edible tuber. Jerusalem artichokes are rich in potassium, thiamine, and fiber. They support brain health and the immune system, facilitate healthy blood glucose levels, and promote muscle function.
6. Jicama Root
Jicama root is a Mexican tuber that is crunchy, light, and low in calories. Often described as a cross between a potato and an apple, jicama is rich in prebiotic fiber, vitamin C, and amino acids. It supports digestion, blood glucose levels, and the immune system.
7. Leeks
Belonging to the Allium genus, the same family as garlic and onions, leeks offer similar health benefits. This prebiotic food source is rich in kaempferol, a free radical scavenger that limits damage from oxidative stress. Leeks are an excellent source of vitamin K for supporting strong bones and vitamin B6 for protecting your heart health.
8. Onions
Onions are versatile, nutrient-dense, and rich in prebiotics, antioxidants, and flavonoids. They are vital in supporting gut health, facilitating an immune system response, and promoting heart health.
Now you know some powerful prebiotic food sources to add to your diet. However, what if I told you that you could get all the benefits of a prebiotic easily and conveniently without eating prebiotic foods all day? If so, I have some exciting news for you!
How to Add a Prebiotic to Your Diet
Very few of us get the amount of fiber and prebiotics we need to maintain our optimal digestive health. Even if you are already taking a fiber supplement, if it is not a physician-formulated blend, it is likely insufficient for meeting your digestive health needs. I recommend Dynamic Fiber to maintain optimal gut health, digestion, and regular bowel movements.
Dynamic Fiber is a physician-formulated fiber blend to give the good bacteria in your gut the strength it needs to fight off the overgrowth of harmful bacteria. Adding a prebiotic to a daily probiotic gives your system a strong army for optimal digestive health!
Dynamic Fiber is a delicious prebiotic formula designed to support intestinal health, manage weight, and promote blood glucose levels already in the normal range and healthy lipid profiles. Prebiotic fiber feeds the beneficial bacteria for healthy immune and digestive tract function.
The prebiotic fiber in rice bran powder, fructooligosaccharides, psyllium husk powder, chicory root extract, apple pectin powder, and oat bran powder are combined in an easy-to-digest drink mix to provide maximum water-soluble intestinal support.
The ingredients in Dynamic Fiber support:
Regular digestion
Intestinal stability
Heart health
Weight management
Immune response
Antioxidant benefits
Never underestimate the power of a healthy gut microbiome. I encourage you to follow the 7 Systems Plan, use fermented food, and add probiotics and prebiotics. Your gut will thank you for it!