What Are Prebiotics?

Prebiotics are the FOODS that feed and nourish our probiotics (bacteria in our gut). If you missed our article on probiotics, you can find that here.

In order to have a healthy gut microbiome, we need to feed our gut bacteria with a variety of different prebiotics. Prebiotics can be found in supplemental form, but the whole form and most complete form is going to be through vegetables and fruits.

Always keep in mind, that since a healthy gut is all about balance. You want to beware of the possibility of causing an imbalance by feeding the “bad bacteria.”

For example, sugar is technically a “prebiotic” since it feeds microbes in our gut. Unfortunately, however, it feeds the “bad” microbes in our gut and should be avoided. Vegetables and fruits most often act as healthy prebiotics. Keep in mind though, that depending on your gut health and levels of different bacteria, some vegetables may be more balancing to your gut bacteria and some may be causing more imbalances. If you start eating a new vegetable or fruit and then begin to experience worsening gut problems, now you know why.

If you experience bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or have gas, be very careful with prebiotics as you likely already have a bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or fungal overgrowth (SIFO). In your case, you likely need to consider a FODMAP diet and specific anti-bacterial or anti-fungal herbals (MORE on our approach at the end of this article).

Natural Sources of Pre-biotics?

Prebiotics are naturally found in fruits and vegetables. As always, variety is your best friend so make sure to get different colored fruits and vegetables next time you’re at the store. Below is a list of prebiotic foods that we should ALL aim to have in our diets! This list is not entirely exhaustive so if you see something else at the grocery store, give it a try!

Powerful Pre-Biotics (Vegetables)

NOTE: all vegetables and fruits should be NON-GMO and if possible, organic. Always avoid GMO foods – they are partly natural but they’re also partly toxic.

Powerful Pre-Biotics (Fruits)

NOTE: all fruits should also be NON-GMO and if possible, organic. Always avoid GMO foods – they are partly natural but they’re also partly toxic.

Our Approach

In our office, we give extremely personalized care because, well, everyone is different! In order to balance out YOUR gut health, we need to determine what YOU need more of (food-wise), what YOU need to avoid, and any underlying causes of poor gut health that YOU currently have!

We find the EXACT prebiotic foods that you need and the specific prebiotic foods that you need to AVOID in order to balance out your gut biome. We also address the challenging underlying causes of poor gut health by addressing gut infections, toxicities, and more using the powerful Systems Health Care technique.

Struggling with Poor Gut Health?

At Freedom Health and Wellness, we address all of these things and more through a personalized and functional approach. We help people with chronic diseases and illnesses regain their health by getting to the source of their health concerns.