A healthy gut is essential to our health. It relies on the balance of trillions of microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts, and viruses) that live within the digestive tract known as the gut microbiome. These microbes are essential for breaking down nutrients and helping communicate signals to the rest of the body, often referred to as our “Second Brain”.
Research now confirms that the gut microbiome may affect many medical conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), and colon cancer. Our gut biome greatly affects our metabolism too. A healthy gut impacts our immune function and generally how well the body can fight illness and disease.
PREbiotics should not be confused with PRObiotics. Prebiotics are non-digestible complex carbohydrates (such as inulin and other fructo-oligosaccharides) that promote the growth of helpful bacteria in the colon. Whereas, probiotics are LIVE microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast. Simply put, prebiotics are “food” for the probiotics to survive.
Think of your gut like a garden, if you plant the garden but do not water and tend to it you will just have to replant every week. We need Pre & Pro biotics for the best outcome.
Although there are supplements that contain prebiotics, there are many foods that naturally contain them. Fruit fiber, such as pectin, has been shown to promote a healthy gut. Whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans, fruit, and vegetables all contain both soluble and non-soluble fiber. Both types of fiber have health benefits.
Nutritionists say to aim for at least 28 grams of fiber every day. Fresh avocados, for example, provide 3 grams of dietary fiber for every serving (1/3 medium avocado). The soluble and insoluble fiber contained in avocados can be part of a balanced diet that supports a healthy gut.
Prebiotics produce short chain fatty acids that help strengthen the gut lining, maintain proper PH and improve energy levels and immune function. A lower PH reduces the chance of cancer, especially colon cancer.
Prebiotics help regulate blood sugar, limit hunger and reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes. They also help control blood pressure.
Pre and probiotics help prevent yeast overgrowth and UTI’s.