Prebiotics and Probiotics, the Perfect Couple.

Prebiotics and Probiotics are undoubtedly the Perfect Couple.

Let me tell you why I say that Prebiotics and Probiotics are the perfect couple. They really do go hand in hand to help keep your digestive system functioning optimally.

We know that probiotic foods are very importantt to keep our gut healthy. What we didn’t know until recently, was how important it was to be incorporating prebiotics as well. They help feed our probiotics. By combining them together, we can accomplish better results. Our western diets, generally don’t include prebiotics every day.

When we don’t include prebiotics, unfortunately, this can often lead to indigestion, potential weight gain, increase in inflammation anywhere in the body and even a higher chance of developing chronic disease.

Here are the foods that have high amounts of prebiotics:

  • acacia gum (or gum arabic)
  • raw chicory root
  • raw Jerusalem artichokes
  • raw or cooked onions
  • raw leeks
  • raw garlic
  • raw dandelion greens
  • raw jicama

What Are Prebiotics?

Prebiotic is soluble fiber that is actually not digested. They are like high fiber foods in that pass through the upper part of the digestive tract and stay undigested because humans aren’t able to break them down. So they pass through the small intestine, undigested and then they reach the colon. This is where they’re fermented by microbiota found naturally in the gut.

Initially, prebiotics weren’t regarded as fiber compounds. However, our recent research has shown us that these compounds act in exactly the same way as other forms of fiber. Now we know that galactans, are one of the most effective forms of prebiotics that are fermented by anaerobic bacteria in the large intestine.

Why is it best to take Prebiotics and Probiotics to Optimize Gut Health?

We have known about the benefits of probiotics for meany years now. However, fermented foods like kimchi, kombucha and sauerkraut, which are great sources of prebiotics, are still not known to the population at large.

The role of fiber in many plants are very important for the absorption of nutrients that keep the digestive tract healthy. Prebiotics, together with probiotics, open the door for heightened levels of health in general, so everyone is encouraged to include more of them in their diets. Its the prebiotics that are the nutrient ‘fertilizer’ for the beneficial, good bacteria that live in your gut.

Prebiotics work together with probiotics.

They provide the breeding ground to encourage the growth of good bacteria. This results in many positive changes to occur in both the activity and the composition of the gut.

A healthy gut is made up of a diversity of intestinal bacteria. Prebiotics provide fuel for all natural microbiota and so encourage diversity. This is the fundamentally significant characteristic of a healthy digestive tract. All “good bacteria” can flouish, particularly the strains we have the most of, commonly known as lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidus (bifidobacteria).

It’s important to understand that the health of our digestive tract influences a lot of other functions in our bodies. Probiotics and prebiotics together help to reduce overall inflammation. This means that they reduce the risk of developing any chronic disease.

Not all prebiotics are the same. PHGG – partially hyrdrolyzed guar gum, a known galactommanan, is the optimal source.

Research shows the benefits of taking galactomannans in therapeutic doses.