Are Probiotics and Prebiotics…Really Necessary?

Probiotics can be simply defined as beneficial bacteria. However, I like to describe them as the good guys in the gut. We all know that we want the good guys to win. Without the good guys in control of our gut, we have all sorts of trouble in our whole body. When we heal the gut, often we find other health issues resolved. When the gut is healed then there is less inflammation in the body and thus less health issues. Probiotics is a way to heal and a way to prevent disease. Lets learn what exactly the “good guys” can do for our body AND how we can easily add them into our daily lives. 

Prebiotics

I wanted to mention prebiotics before we dive a bit deeper into probiotics. The Aztecs are known as incredible warriors. What may be less known is that they fueled themselves up with Chia seeds. My speculation would be they would make a similar drink that the Mexican Tarahumara tribe who are known for their incredible running ability, that included lime or lemon juice, water, and chia seeds…the combination is incredible but the amount of nutrients the chia seeds provide those who consume it was enough to give lasting stamana and strength to the mighty Aztec Warriors and give enough energy for the Tarahumara tribe to run a couple of days without stopping (they did hydrate with the chia seed drink along the way)! But these incredible athletes and warriors fed on something nutritious so that they could do their job and complete their task with excellence. Prebiotics are the chia seeds in this analogy. They are the fiber//food that the probiotics need to fight off the bad bacteria and win control of your gut!

A few Prebiotic foods:

1. Asparagus

2. Green Banana

3. Garlic

4. Leek/onions

5. Ginger

6. Jerusalem artichoke

   Probiotics help us live well, feed life, and sustain life.

A few things that destroy healthy gut bacteria can be:

• Certain Medication

• Antibiotics

• A lot of stress

• Alcohol 

  Throughout our lives some of these things have been a part of our life for better or worse or were a necessary part of our healing journey…which makes it all the more important for us to learn how we can replenish our gut with the good guys!

  Here is a list of a few of the amazing things probiotics do for our body:

  • Helps rebuild Microbiome–important to help keeping gut healthy 

  • Help metabolize the food/nutrients that you are eating

• Build your immunity

• Help keep bad bacteria in check.

• Metabolize cholesterol–use it the way it is intended

• Defend against pathogens

• Reduce gut issues//heal gut issues

• Help heal candida

• Build a stable microbiome 

• Stress resilient 

• Lower inflammation–less pain

• Lessens the load of the digestive system

• Can help promote weight loss

• Improves brain function

• Lower blood pressure

• Can help with anti-aging

How do I Daily get probiotics in my diet?

There are yummy foods that you can add to your plate or smoothie daily that will get you a dose of probiotics. My personal favorite is Kombucha! But water kefir is a fun and quick way to make a probiotic drink at home as well. I also have really enjoyed organic miso—which is fermented soy beans and rice…it’s amazing added to a red lentil soup. Fermented, full fat dairy products also have an incredible amount of probiotics. Homemade milk kefir is perfect to add to smoothies to make them creamy and a great way to get your kiddos to have their daily probiotics. It easy to make a probiotic rich smoothie as a side to breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack! Yogurt is probably the most common food people recognize having probiotics. Kimchi is another great source of probiotics and sauerkraut. These foods you can purchase in the cold section of many health food grocery stores. However, there are very simple instructions online to making your own probiotic rich foods at home! It does cost some time, but saves money in groceries and in going to the doctor. Having a robust microbiome can tremendously help in keeping the doctor away because it is keeping your gut strong.

• Kombucha*

• Water Kefir*

• Milk Kefir*

• Yogurt*

• Sauerkraut*

• Kimchi

• Miso

  *I regularly or have in the past made these at home aka you can do it too!

  Supplements:

  Quality supplements and credible supplement companies can be hard to find. Many of my clients want to know what I take so I will list the two I use regularly.

• My family loves the Mentabiotics and the Kid’s Fundamentals

  • (That is a link for $10 0ff your first order)

• Transformation Enzymes

  • I use the probiotic daily and LOVE it.

  • Use 25Chels for a discount for their products

“Those who poop Well, live well.”-Chelsie Ingersoll

I will leave you with that quote, because when your gut is happy with prebiotics and probiotics…you will be pooping like a champ. While not everyone wants to admit it, when you have a good poop…you feel like you can conquer the world. Imagine your life feeling that good once or even twice a day! Just add some of these good guys and you’ll be on your way.