Probiotics vs. Prebiotics: What’s the Difference?

Which will it be?

If you’re trying to incorporate gut-healthy habits but are confused about probiotics & prebiotics, here’s the scoop.

*Probiotics* are live microorganisms that are meant to help maintain the beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome. *Prebiotics* are dietary fibers that act as food for those beneficial bacteria.

Both can come in the form of either foods or supplements.

Probiotic supplements deliver microorganisms like Acidophilus of Bifidobacteria, whereas prebiotic supplements deliver fibers like inulin, arabinogalactan, or fructooligosaccharides.

👉👉Please be aware that even though probiotics and prebiotics are generally considered safe for healthy people, they are not for everyone and can aggravate gut problems in people with certain conditions (like SIBO).

But if you’re looking to gently boost your intake of foods that support the diversity of your gut microbiome, here are some to consider.

Probiotic-Rich Foods 🥣

▪️ Yogurt

▪️ Kefer

▪️ Kombucha

▪️ Sauerkraut

▪️ Kimchi

▪️ Natto

Prebiotic-Rich Foods 🧅

▪️ Bananas

▪️ Artichoke

▪️ Asparagus

▪️ Onions

▪️ Flaxseeds

▪️ Oats

If you are struggling with your gut health and want help getting to the root cause, that’s what we’re here for.

Schedule an initial visit to optimize your gut health!

5 Ways to Start Healing Your Gut Today

Want better digestion, skin health, energy, & mood?

It’s time to heal the gut.

While some people can benefit from targeted assessments and longer-term protocols to heal the gut, just about everyone can benefit from simple everyday gut-loving micro-habits.

Like…

💧 Stay hydrated. Your digestive juices depend on it!

🌈 Eat the rainbow. Colorful fruits and veggies have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties plus a dose of fiber for a happy gut.

🥣 Try ground flax, chia, or hemp seeds. These provide some fiber and are high in omega-3 fatty acids for a healthy inflammatory response.

💊 Boost magnesium (particularly if you tend toward constipation)

🚶‍♂️Keep moving. Exercise enhances the diversity of the gut microbiome.

And if you’ve tried these things but need deeper support to figure out what is really going on…

We can help.

Ever Heard of the Gut-Skin Axis?

Want the scoop? ➡️

The gut-skin axis explains the direct connection between gut health and skin health. This happens through:

1️⃣ Gut Microbiome

Changes in the gut microbiome have been linked to many skin conditions, including acne, eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.

2️⃣ Food Sensitivities

Gluten and other food sensitivities have been linked to eczema and other skin rashes because of their effect on gut inflammation and immune function.

3️⃣ Inflammation

When inflammation occurs in the gut, it can lead to increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut) and trigger inflammation elsewhere in the body, including the skin.

The usual way of addressing skin issues is through external topical applications, but to address the root cause…

We like to look at the gut.

Want a holistic approach to healing your skin from the inside out?

Schedule an appointment today and let's get started!

💻 https://www.elementsnatmed.com/naturopathic-visits

Reference

De Pessemier B, Grine L, Debaere M, Maes A, Paetzold B, Callewaert C. Gut-Skin Axis: Current Knowledge of the Interrelationship between Microbial Dysbiosis and Skin Conditions. Microorganisms. 2021;9(2):353. Published 2021 Feb 11. [link]

Food Sensitivities: Then What?!?

💥 Let’s figure out why!

If you’re dealing with food sensitivities, this post is for you.

Did you know there might be fixable issues that are driving food sensitivities or making them worse?

That’s right:

Research 📚 has linked food sensitivities to changes in:

👉 Gut Microbiome

👉 Intestinal Permeability (“Leaky Gut”)

👉 Gut inflammation

So…

Gut support makes a lot of sense.

Keep following along if you want to learn more about how I can help with a root-cause approach to health 🙌

References

Caminero A, Meisel M, Jabri B, Verdu EF. Mechanisms by which gut microorganisms influence food sensitivities. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019;16(1):7-18. [link]

Ohtsuka Y. Food intolerance and mucosal inflammation. Pediatr Int. 2015;57(1):22-29. [link]

Ventura MT, Polimeno L, Amoruso AC, et al. Intestinal permeability in patients with adverse reactions to food. Dig Liver Dis. 2006;38(10):732-736. [link]