{"id":21226,"date":"2022-07-18T13:56:32","date_gmt":"2022-07-18T11:56:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=21226"},"modified":"2022-07-18T13:57:32","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T11:57:32","slug":"why-gut-health-matters-probiotics-and-prebiotics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/why-gut-health-matters-probiotics-and-prebiotics\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Gut Health Matters: Probiotics and Prebiotics"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re surrounded by health and wellness trends from <\/span>biohacking<\/span><\/a> to <\/span>adaptogens<\/span><\/a> to green juice. It can be fun and incredibly beneficial to try out different trends and methods and see what works for you. But sometimes the secret to health is getting back to basics.\u00a0 <\/span>One of the most well-known adages in the English language is \u201cYou are what you eat\u201d \u2013 and for good reason! What you eat truly does make a huge impact on your health, energy levels, cognition, and so much more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just a matter of what you eat though, it\u2019s the overall health of your gut and everything that it affects. Much like the rest of this planet, your gut is full of different organisms, especially bacteria. Most of these are beneficial bacteria that we have a symbiotic relationship with.\u00a0 <\/span>Not only are these bacteria beneficial, but they\u2019re also crucial for a healthy body. While the food that you eat absolutely matters when it comes to gut health, there are other steps you can take to help heal and boost it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the best tools for gut health? Probiotics and prebiotics. Let\u2019s learn about the importance of gut health and how you can use probiotics and prebiotics to live your best gut health life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Probiotics vs Prebiotics<\/b><\/h2>\n

First off, it\u2019s important to understand just what <\/span>probiotics<\/span><\/a> are. Just like many other areas of the body, like the <\/span>vagina<\/span><\/a> and the mouth, your gut has its very own microbiome. That\u2019s like a tiny ecosystem of different organisms that work hard to keep you alive and functioning. These beneficial microorganisms, or flora, are made up of bacteria and yeasts.<\/span><\/p>\n

In an ideal world, you have a perfectly balanced gut microbiome, but of course \u2013 that\u2019s not always the reality. There are so many things that can affect the flora in your gut like taking antibiotics and eating food that is overly processed or was grown in depleted soils. That\u2019s where probiotics come in.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Although probiotics already exist within your microbiome, they can also be ingested through supplements and certain foods. When looking for probiotic supplements it\u2019s best to look for supplements made with the bacteria Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. These will be labeled on bottles. Some probiotic supplements need to be refrigerated while others are freeze-dried. Keep in mind your lifestyle and whether it makes more sense to have ones that you can easily take on the go \u2013 especially if you travel a lot!<\/span><\/p>\n

While probiotics are pretty well known, prebiotics have flown a bit under the radar, so let\u2019s shine a spotlight on them. Prebiotics are specific nutrients in food. The body doesn\u2019t actually absorb these, however the activity and growth of probiotics. Prebiotics and probiotics go hand in hand!<\/span><\/p>\n

What are some foods that are high in prebiotics?<\/span><\/p>\n