Probiotics and Prebiotic Foods

When we’re eating processed foods or a high consumption of heavy caloric foods that are not nutrient dense, it negatively affects our digestion.  A whole food plant based diet promotes a healthy microbiome, as well as the intake of good bacteria or probiotics.

(For more information on this particular subject read my previous blog: Dirt And You)

In order to feed healthy bacteria you also need prebiotics which ‘feed’ the probiotics.  Prebiotics, similar to probiotics, are microorganisms that are found in plant foods such as:

Inulin or Chicory Root

Sprouted Grains

Avocado

Peas

Beans or Legumes

Dandelion Greens

Potato Skins

Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

Garlic and Onion

Plant Fiber vs. Bad Bacteria

The Society for Microbiology reported in 2013 that vegetarian diets promote a healthy gut because of the higher intake of plant fiber which, as mentioned above, increase good bacteria while fighting bad bacteria.

Bad bacteria creates a body that is out of balance with symptoms or illness such as:

Mood disorders and Depression

Poor Concentration

Fatigue

Candida

Sinus Infections

Urinary Tract Infections

Sugary Food Cravings

Irritable Bowel Disease

and many other digestive issues

If you’re not focusing on eating plant foods, but rather grabbing for processed snacks, meat and others foods such as those containing milk fat then you’re not promoting a healthy microbiome.

Dairy, Meat & Eggs

The fact that milk fat is mainly saturated fat is important to understand.  Researchers at the University of Chicago found that these saturated fats are hard for the body to digest and it responds by pumping more bile into the gut. This changes the gut environment and leads to a change in the bacteria growing there. – bbc.com

Also the nutrient, choline found mainly in eggs, seafood and poultry and carnitine in meat create a substance, known as Trimethylamine N-oxide or TMAO, in the intestines which causes inflammation that leads to heart disease, according to the Cleveland Heart Lab, Inc.

The Human Microbiome

Our bodies have the ability to heal but it really depends on what nutrition you put into it.  Also, what we put in our bellies on a daily basis affects our immune system, our digestion, our quality of life and most of all our mood.

Yup!  Our mental state affects our gut, for example, those who suffer from anxiety, tend to have digestive issues.  The latest microbiome research shows us that our gut affects our mental health.

“Approximately 90% of serotonin in the body is located in the gut.” – Bodyecology.com

Actually, to briefly discuss our body as a whole, we are made up of mainly microbial cells known as our microbiome.  There are more of these cells than gene cells!  “The human body contains trillions of microorganisms — outnumbering human cells by 10 to 1.” – NIH.gov

Many great articles of research are found within the NIH.gov site discussing this very topic including: The Gut Microbiome: A New Frontier in Autism Research.

Our enteric nervous system sometimes referred to by scientists as our ‘second brain’ is a very complex system.

Healthy & Happy

How are we supposed to produce serotonin to live a happy life if we are not constantly feeding a healthy gut?

Like I said, it’s important, more so, it’s crucial to understand all of this information that I’m giving you so that you may make the right steps for your health each day.

When you are preparing your day, your meals and your family’s plates – think about how it will impact their lives long term.

I promote a healthy lifestyle for optimal health specifically for a better quality of life.  Eating and living healthy is not torture, it is actually a luxury that is priceless.

Be well always!

Cynthia Moon

Click the following link to purchase Pure Therapeutics: Power Probiotics Daily

Blog Image Courtesy of The Stone Clinic