What is a Prebiotic and Why Do I Need Them?
If you’re a gut health nut, you’ve probably heard of, and even take probiotics. But are you familiar with their younger sibling, prebiotics? Prebiotics are foods that act as food for human microflora. Typically, they’re high in fiber and they aid in healthy bacteria growth in your gut. Let’s dive in a little deeper.
The Link Between Pre-and Probiotics
We like to think of pre-and probiotics like two siblings, one of which is more popular and well-known than the other. Three guesses who.
Prebiotics are that less popular, younger sibling you probably don’t know much about. They’re the carbs you can’t digest that go to your lower digestive tract to act as food for your gut’s healthy bacteria. You need prebiotics to feed those healthy bacteria in your gut. And it’s incredibly easy to add them into your routine, you probably already eat a host of prebiotic foods without even knowing it!
· Apples, artichokes, asparagus, bananas, barley, berries, chicory, cocoa, dandelion greens, flaxseed, garlic, green vegetables, leeks, legumes, oats, onions, tomatoes, soybeans, wheat
Prebiotics also offer other benefits to you. They help with the absorption of calcium, change the rate at which foods cause spikes in blood sugar, ferment foods faster so they spend less time in your digestive system (say goodbye to constipation!), and help keep the cells that line your gut healthy. Three cheers for prebiotics!
Now let’s talk about that sibling that is so well known and talked about, it’s almost disgusting—and some people feel that way about the foods that contain them! Probiotics are live yeasts and good bacteria that live in your body and are good for your digestive system. You can get them through food or supplements. You’re likely familiar with most of the foods that contain probiotics.
- Yogurt*, sauerkraut, tempeh, kombucha*, kimchi, kefir
- Yogurt and kombucha tend to have added sugars in them. If you’re concerned about sugar intake, be sure to read the nutrition label, or opt for a different probiotic food.
You need both pre- and probiotics for a healthy gut. They work together to support the body in building and maintaining a healthy colony of bacteria and other microorganisms, which supports the gut and aids digestion.
An Easy Way to Ensure You’re Getting Both into Your Body
You guessed it, we’ve launched a supplement for gut health! Pre+ Probiotic for Women is designed to support a healthy digestive system in conjunction with a healthy diet, environment, and exercise routine. There is no magic pill, but we do believe we make magic-like supplements that help support a healthy lifestyle!
Our prebiotic blend uses psyllium husks and acacia gum, both of which are well tolerated by the general population in addition to being safe to consume for those on a low FODMAP diet or dealing with IBS. We formulated our probiotic blend with Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Lactobacillus Plantarum which are the best-studied strains in addition to being very safe and tolerable. Bonus, these can also help with vaginal health!
We’ve also added ginger, as it helps lower inflammation levels in the intestine and ease an upset stomach, both of which can be struggles for those dealing with intestinal issues. Ginger can also help ease heartburn and is safe to consume.
A healthy digestive tract needs both pre- and probiotics to support it. Supporting your gut health can also help support your menstrual cycle, and your overall health. Since 70-80% of immune cells are present in the gut, it’s crucial we prioritize our gut health, as it directly impacts our immune system’s strength. So, grab yourself some Pre+ Probiotic for Women and take an active role in your gut health today!