Prebiotics

The gut plays a very important role in the immune system. Having a healthy gut directly correlated to having a strong and functioning immune system as well. This is crucial in order to fight infection and live a healthy life. This is why it is important to consume prebiotics and probiotics in order to promote healthy gut function. Probiotics contain live microorganisms that are typically strains of bacteria that add to the population of the gut microflora, which is the beneficial bacteria in the gut. They are most commonly present in yogurt and other fermented foods, such as sauerkraut and kimchi. The benefits of consuming probiotics range from improved immunity to increased brain function. 

Prebiotics come in to play by helping balance and enhance all of the benefits that probiotics can offer. More specifically, prebiotics are non-digestible fiber compounds called oligosaccharides that are fermented by the gut microflora. They enter the digestive system and are used as nutrient sources for the gut microflora, which allows for compositional changes to occur in the gastrointestinal tract. Balance, diversity, and increasing the population of gut microflora are all roles that prebiotics play. In addition to promoting health gut function and improving the immune system, increasing prebiotic intake can help with lowering the risk of heart disease and cholesterol levels, stress levels, obesity, inflammation, and increase hormonal balance. 

Some of the top foods that contain prebiotics are raw dandelion greens, raw leeks, raw jicama, raw garlic, raw or cooked onions, raw asparagus, and under-ripe bananas. In addition, acacia gum, the gum that is exuded from the acacia tree, is one of the richest sources of prebiotics that is naturally occurring. It can be bought in a powder form at grocery stores and added smoothies, or it can be purchased in a supplemental form. 

There are many other prebiotic supplements to choose from, but because prebiotic research is still new and improving, it is important to know which supplements to choose.  Many manufacturers claim that their products are high in fiber; however, isolated fiber is in these products used, which may have laxative effects. The best prebiotics are from whole foods, but if this is not an easy option, natural supplements may be the answer. Prebiotin, a prebiotic dietary supplement, is often added to foods to increase prebiotic intake. The best prebiotic supplements will come from whole food sources, such as dandelion greens or acacia gum as mentioned earlier, rather than compounds with prebiotic-like effects. It is also recommended to monitor the suggested intake of the prebiotic supplement in order to avoid any gastrointestinal problems. If too many prebiotics are consumed too quickly, this will increase the likelihood of gas, bloating, and diarrhea.