Probiotics-> are the ‘GOOD’ for you bacteria. The NIH in 2012 said probiotics may help balance the immune system and support digestive health. I could not agree more, so- they are an essential add on in your diet. What are good brands? Look for live cultures of 10 – 15 Billion at the minimum! You must add this on as a supplement. Even though they might say it is shelf stable, I keep mine in the fridge. I use metagenics probiotics. I believe they are some of the best on the market. There are varying types that address gut, cardiovascular, irritable bowel, women, and men to children. The cookie cutter varieties, beware. When Metagenics ships then to you, you get these babies on ice. No other company I know does this.
Pre-biotics-> on the other hand, are sugar (carbohydrate/grain) based and are not digested by the human body. It does not make sense to add them as a supplement since they are so prevalent already in the diet. Therefore, I have never found an instance in my career that I have advised someone to take ‘probiotics’ as a supplement and because so many people have varying levels of sugar metabolism issues from hypoglycemia to glucose intolerant or insulin resistant. You know who you are… especially if your crave breads, pasta, potatoes and/or rice.
The goal is to keep the gut happy… happy gut, happy healthy life. You are not what you eat, you are what you have the ability to absorb… you need bacteria, the good bacteria to balance out the ‘bad’ to do just that.
3 EASY TO FIND FOOD SOURCES FOR PROBIOTICS:
YOGURT/KEFIR (goat is better than cow/cow should be grass fed)
SOURDOUGH (if the loaf is not heavy- you are not getting the real thing, smell it)
SAUERKRAUT/KAMINCHI (my favorite BUBBIES)
PRE-BIOTIC FOOD SOURCES:
BANANAS (high glycemic index)
WHOLE GRAINS (grains since they are GMO – a no, no)
ONIONS/GARLIC (raw)
What to know more?
AskDrPat
