A Guide to Pre- and Probiotics

Nourishing your gut microbiome is a beautiful step in the direction of optimal wellbeing.

As Hippocrates once believed "All disease begins in the gut".

Trillions of microorganisms and hundreds of bacterial species reside in your gastrointestinal tract– where the balance between anti-inflammatory 'good' and pro-inflammatory 'bad' bacteria is determinant of your gut composition and by extension, your wellbeing. Factors that can influence your gut composition include diet, antibiotic use and physical activity level.

Digestive discomfort and symptoms of anxiety can be an indication of dysbiosis or an imbalance of good/bad bacteria. Consuming foods abundant in pre- and probiotics can therefore be a beautiful option to consider, to support your inner health.

Examples of pre- and probiotics:

Probiotics help restore microbial balance by re-introducing a diverse number of 'good' strains of live bacteria to your gut. Dietary sources include:

I. Yoghurt

II. Sauerkraut

III. Sourdough

IV. Kombucha

Prebiotics are a source of non-digestible plant fibre that nourish gut bacteria and produce metabolites supportive of nutrient absorption, brain health and more. Dietary sources include:

I. Wholegrains

II. Flaxseed

III. Chicory root

IV. Bananas

Remember to seek guidance from your health care practitioner before making a decision relating to your wellbeing.

Markowiak, P., & Śliżewska, K. (2). Effects of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics on Human Health. Nutrients, 9(9). doi:10.3390/nu9091021

Ogunrinola, G. A., Oyewale, J. O., Oshamika, O. O., & Olasehinde, G. I. (2020). The Human Microbiome and Its Impacts on Health. Int J Microbiol, 2020, 8045646. doi:10.1155/2020/8045646