Prebiotics and Probiotics...What's the difference and why I should have them both in my dietary life.
As part of looking after our gut microbiome. It helps to know the difference between Prebiotics and Probiotics and why it's important to sometimes have them both in our daily diet.
One of the most important times to taking both prebiotics and probiotics is when you're taking antibiotics. It's well known that antibiotics are necessary for particularly nasty illnesses. When we are on these antibiotics though, we should also be taking probiotics. In taking antibiotics, your microbiome is severely altered, sometimes depending on how strong the antibiotic, it may wipe out and reset your gut microbiome. Changing your gut health from a good one with flourishing good gut bacteria to a more neutral habitat.
Probiotics are made up of the good bacteria we already have in our gut. So when taking antibiotics, taking probiotics is a great way to keep all the good gut bacteria in good supply.
Prebiotics are types of fibre that your gut bacteria mainly can digest. These types of fibre provide nutrients to the bacteria that support healthy digestion and immune function.
Foods that are high in prebiotic fibre include:
- Legumes, beans and peas.
- Oats.
- Bananas.
- Berries.
- Jerusalem artichokes (not the same as regular artichokes).
- Asparagus.
- Dandelion greens.
- Garlic.
- Leeks.
- Onions.
One of the things your good gut bacteria do with prebiotic fibre is to turn it into a short-chain fatty acid called butyrate, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects inside the colon.
So in short...
- Probiotics: These are live bacteria found in certain foods or supplements. They can provide numerous health benefits.
- Prebiotics: These substances come from types of carbs (mostly fibre) that humans can't digest. The beneficial bacteria in your gut eat this fibre.
Ps: If you have not signed up for our free 5-day arm or leg mobility challenge or 3 -day wheelchair shoulder mobility challenge and would like to do so now, click on the link below and sign up to do it at a time of your choosing.
unknownx500
