Meanwhile, modern living and our bad lifestyle choices have been hard on those little bugs. The standard western diet is impoverished of the things our beneficial gut bacteria require. All the chemicals from processed foods and the environmental toxins we take in only make the situation worse. Our guts become damaged when we eat a processed diet that’s high in sugar and starch, don’t eat enough of the right fiber and prebiotics, or take too many gut-busting drugs (like antibiotics, acid blockers for reflux, anti-inflammatories, hormones, and more). Think of your gut as an inner garden; just as with any garden—when you let the weeds take over, you get into trouble.

We are home to more than 500 different species of microbes. Some of them help us, but others are harmful. Many of us have too few bacteria in our intestines, where they do us the most good. Others have an overgrowth of the bad kind, which causes its own problems. Not enough of the good bacteria, or too much of the bad, can lead to intestinal disorders like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Leaky Gut, but also chronic inflammation, depression, even cancer and heart disease.

So, it’s our job to encourage the good microbes by feeding them the things they need and avoiding the things that damage them. Meanwhile, we have to starve the bad bacteria by avoiding the foods and other forces that allow them to thrive.

Not surprisingly, good bacteria love healthy whole, organic, plant-based foods, ones that are high in fiber and nutrients and contain no artificial ingredients. One of the biggest questions I get when I tell people to eat more fiber is, “What are good sources of fiber?” Below, I’ve put together a partial list of foods filled with fiber and foods to feed your gut.

Even if you’re eating the right things, you may need some outside assistance maintaining plentiful and diverse gut bacteria. That’s what prebiotic and probiotic supplements are for. Prebiotics feed the good microbes, mostly with fiber. Probiotics are the actual bacteria

There are many different varieties of probiotics out there. When shopping for a probiotic, you should look for one with at least 25-50 billion living CFUs (colony-forming units), including the most beneficial strains like: Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. (Dr. Mark Hyman, How to Feed your gut).

Flora-Biotic™ Ultra
This is a probiotic formula from Patient One Formulas that contains all of these strains Dr. Hyman recommends. Please check out their website. These products are only available for medical providers, but I have an agreement with the company to allow my clients to order freely.
In order to create a patient account, please use my phone number 781-883-5951 as a passcode. www.Patientoneformulas.com

Prebiotics and probiotics together amplify the incredible health-promoting properties of these powerful ingredients.

 

By definition, prebiotics are non-digestible fiber compounds that are degraded by gut microbiota.

 

Just like other high-fiber foods, prebiotic compounds pass through the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract and remain undigested because the human body can’t fully break them down. Once they pass through the small intestine, they reach the colon, where they’re fermented by the gut microflora.

 

Prebiotics are substances that are fermented by the beneficial bacteria in the gut and used as a source of fuel to help enhance gut flora health. Probiotics, on the other hand, are defined live microorganisms that can confer health benefits to the host, ranging from improved immunity to better brain function.

Both boast an extensive array of health benefits and work together to boost both digestive and overall health. One is not necessarily “best,” since they work together to optimize things like nutrient absorption, appetite control, immune function, etc.

 

 

 

∙ Certified Functional Medicine Health and Wellness Coach

∙ Certified Gluten-Free Diet Practitioner

∙ Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor

∙ Certified International Sports Nutritionist

781-883-5951

Silke@SimplifyHolisticNutrition.com

 

I am looking forward to seeing you soon!

Call (781) 883-5951 to book your appointment.