Probiotics are a health buzzword these days but many of us have no clue what they mean.  We see Jamie Lee Curtis on a commercial singing the praises of probiotics and we feel like we need to go get some because probiotics are important…but what are probiotics?

Probiotics

Probiotics are the bacteria living in your gut.  These bacteria are a good thing because they help aid in our digestion and absorption of food, help us to recover from illness, AND help our immune function!  Did you know that our GI tract comprises over 70% of our immune system??   Who knew!  There’s also research that’s beginning to emerge about gut bacteria and the connection to the brain and that having a healthy amount of bacteria in  your gut can help with mental health.  The gut/brain connection is beginning to have some serious scientific legs!

Probiotic Foods (Eat 1-2 Servings per day)

Yogurt

Cheese

Kefir

Pickles/Sauerkraut/Kimchi

Apple Cider Vinegar

Kombucha (Avoid the sugary kind)

Soy Sauce

Wine (Hey now!)

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are the food that the bacteria need to eat in order to thrive.

Sources of Prebiotics: Eat 2-3 Servings per day

Asparagus

Garlic

Onions

Beans

Oats

Quinoa

Potatoes

Yams

Apples/Bananas/Berries/Citrus/Kiwi/Flax Seeds

What about supplements?

Looking at the above list you should be making a point to get your prebiotics and probiotics from real food rather than supplements.  Supplements are just that:  They are designed to SUPPLEMENT your diet and NOT  replace Fresh Whole Foods.  Unless your doctor prescribes supplements, then eat fruits, veggies, and REAL foods.