Every plant and animal on the planet is home to a vast array of microscopic organisms, or microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, and yeasts.
The human body in particular is home to trillions of these microbes. Invisible to the naked eye, these microorganisms live on your skin, in your body fluids, and all along your digestive system. They are present in and on your body from the moment you are born, and they have an important role to play in your overall health, and this is especially true of the microbes that live in your gut.
With the ability to impact your immune system, skin, cognitive function, and so much more, your gut is arguably one of the most important influencers in your overall health. Because of this, taking care of your gut is of the utmost importance, and one of the best ways to do that is through the use of prebiotics and probiotics.
What Are Prebiotics?
When it comes to gut health, most of the talk revolves around probiotics. While probiotics are definitely important (we’ll talk about why in a minute), it can be argued that prebiotics are equally important because, without them, those helpful probiotics wouldn’t have anything to feed on.
So what exactly are prebiotics? By definition, they are non-digestible food ingredients that help stimulate the growth of good bacteria that is present in your gut microbiome.
The most common type of prebiotic is fiber, which is a type of carbohydrate that your body cannot digest, which means it cannot be broken down into sugar molecules to provide your body with energy. Instead, fiber travels to the lower part of your digestive system, where it becomes food for the good bacteria that live there. There are many different types of dietary fiber, with the most prevalent one being a type of plant fiber known as inulin, which can be found in over 36,000 types of plants.
The Health Benefits of Prebiotics
Prebiotics are most commonly known for the positive impact they have on your gut. By feeding the colonies of good bacteria, prebiotics help keep the colonies of those good bacteria healthy and thriving, which is one of the best ways to support a healthy gut microbiome. Beyond their benefits for the digestive system, prebiotics can also impact other areas in your body as well. For example, studies have shown that prebiotics can be beneficial for bone health by helping your body absorb more calcium. Another benefit of consuming plenty of prebiotic fiber is that these indigestible carbs are known to help you feel full longer, ultimately helping you manage your appetite and maintain a healthy weight.
Natural Sources of Prebiotics
Prebiotic fibers are especially abundant in plant-based foods, which makes it simple to add them to your diet. Some of the best natural sources of prebiotics include garlic, leeks, onions, artichokes, asparagus, oats, barley, bananas, apples, flaxseeds, and soybeans.
What Are Probiotics?
We have now established that probiotics rely on prebiotics to maintain them as they function in the body, it’s time to answer the lingering question—what exactly are probiotics? In short, probiotics are living good bacteria that promote gut health. They are present in various foods and supplements, and by consuming probiotic-rich items, you are essentially seeding your gut with a dose of beneficial bacteria. Why is this important? Because the key to digestive health is a balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria in your gut microbiome.
There are many different types of probiotics out there, with the two most prominent types being Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Natural yeast, a key ingredient in fermented foods, is also known to have a few different strains of probiotics that can be beneficial for your gut health. d or as supplements, it replaces the wiped-out bacteria and keeps your body regulated.
The Health Benefits of Probiotics
In recent years, probiotic foods and supplements have grown in popularity, and for good reason—they offer many benefits for your health. First and foremost, the biggest benefit you can receive from adding probiotics to your diet is a boost in gut health. This is because your gut is at the core of your overall health. Many organs and systems in the human body, such as your brain, your immune system, and your skin, are directly impacted by your gut. By giving your gut microbiome a regular boost of good bacteria, you are setting yourself up to look and feel your best by taking care of your health from the inside out.
Natural Sources of Probiotics
Similar to prebiotics, probiotics can be found in a number of natural foods. One of these sources includes breastmilk, which means that breastfed babies are able to start reaping the benefits of probiotics from day one. Amazing, right?
Other natural sources of probiotics include yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, cheese, miso soup, pickles, sourdough bread, kombucha, and tempeh.
While getting probiotics from food is always a great idea, you can also get them in supplement form, which is a simple and convenient way to make taking care of your gut a part of your daily routine. As with any other supplement, it’s important to do your research to make sure you are getting a safe, high-quality probiotic supplement. Look for one that is made from natural ingredients and comes with quality and safety certifications. For the best results, choose a probiotic supplement that also includes a prebiotic, so you can nourish those good bacteria you are seeding your gut with.
Care for Your Gut with Spectrabiotic®
At the end of the day, the important thing to remember is that probiotics and prebiotics work together to boost and support your gut, and by extension, your overall health. If you are looking for a simple and effective way to add more probiotics and prebiotics to your routine, look no further than Spectrabiotic from New Earth.
This gut-supporting formula combines 12 strains of probiotics with the prebiotic inulin and the near-perfect superfood known as organic Wild Microalgae™ to nourish and support your gut on a daily basis.
What’s more? Just like all New Earth products, Spectrabiotic is manufactured in an NSF registered facility to the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and the NSF’s GMP for Sport. So you can rest assured that you are getting a safe, high-quality product.
The best part is you can put it to the test risk-free with our 60-day money-back guarantee.