Pre- and Probiotics and Health

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that exist in our gastrointestinal tract. Prebiotics feed the beneficial bacterial colonies and work synergistically with probiotics. In other words, prebiotics nourish and maintain probiotics, which restores and improves gut health. Probiotic sources include yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, tempeh and cultured non-dairy yogurts. Some good sources of prebiotics are bananas, onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, artichokes, soybeans and whole-wheat foods. Products that combine both are called synbiotics. For best results, try combining pre- and probiotics in your usual diet by enjoying bananas with yogurt or stir-frying asparagus with tempeh.

Are probiotic supplements necessary for everyone? Probably not. In fact, there are risks associated with use of probiotic supplements. These include: systemic infections, metabolic disruption, excessive immune stimulation in compromised individuals, gene transfer, and gastrointestinal side effects (Doron & Syndman, 2015). By consuming regular food sources of probiotics, you can safely maintain the integrity of your gut and avoid disrupting your body's natural microbiome. At a minimum, prebiotics and probiotics are keys for optimal gut health. Research indicates that the gut bacterial environment has implications beyond digestive health. The microbiome may impact weight management and risk of central nervous system diseases (Shreiner et al., 2015). Incorporating health-promoting functional foods, such as foods containing prebiotics and probiotics contributes to a healthier you!

Our registered dietitian, Nasira, can provide more advice on obtaining pre- and probiotics for your specific health needs, especially if you have gut issues or a weakened immune system, Contact her today:
(425) 445-3914 or nasirasnutrition@gmail.com.

References:
Doron, S., & Snydman, D. R. (2015). Risk and safety of probiotics. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 60(suppl_2), S129-S134.
​Shreiner, A. B., Kao, J. Y., & Young, V. B. (2015). The gut microbiome in health and in disease. Current opinion in gastroenterology, 31(1), 69.