The little world of BIOTICS
- bey0ndM@gz!ne
- April 16, 2021
- Default, Health-Wellness
- 0 Comments
The microbes that live in our gut make up “the microbiome”, and they are extremely important for our overall health. Think of a microbiome as a diverse community of organisms, made up of microbes. These microbes are a combination of bacteria and yeasts.
The bacteria within the microbiome helps regulate our immune system and digest our food, protects against disease causing bacteria’s and produces the vitamins needed for our blood to coagulate.
Now, some experts suggest that the gut microbiome is something that varies from one person to another, and that each microbiome is unique; however, this does not indicate it’s permanency, in other words, one can always transform their microbiome. Let us peek into the little world of “biotics”
PROBIOTICS
These are living, beneficial bacteria found in some foods and supplements. They are often referred to as the “friendly” bacteria and are said to help restore the natural balance of the bacteria in our gut. Examples of probiotics include: kefir, miso, kimchi and tempeh.
PREBIOTICS
Prebiotics, on the other hand, can be found in fibre rich foods that humans often cannot digest. These fibres are fabulous for our digestive health, and the good bacteria in our gut love to gobble them up! This in turn leads to an increase of friendly bacteria in the gut which helps correct digestive issues and boosts the immune system. Some experts go on further to suggest that prebiotic foods may also improve our metabolic health and even help prevent some diseases. Examples of prebiotics include: garlic, onions, leeks and asparagus.
POSTBIOTICS
There’s one more magical “biotic” that is said to play a role for in our overall gut heath, which are “Postbiotics”. These are produced when probiotics feed on prebiotics. The probiotics are the workers in our gut, and they use prebiotics to fuel their processes. The end result of all the hard work done by the probiotics are the postbiotics. In essence, postbiotics are basically the “waste” of probiotics and they are responsible for numerous important health improving functions in the gut. Good sources of these wondrous “biotics” are:
- Yoghurt.
- Pickles.
- Sauerkraut.
- Miso soup.
- Soft Cheeses.
- Sourdough bread.
- Buttermilk or Indian “chaas.”
It has been predicted that there will be more talk about postbiotics in the coming year; described as the new kid on the block and one of the best ways to boost one’s health. Of course improving our health does not only mean advocating the use of practitioner recommended “biotics” or supplements. We must be committed to making small lifestyle changes to boost our overall health. Maintaining a balanced diet, incorporating yoga, breath work, meditation into your daily routine and promoting self-care will have you feeling whole, happy and healthy in no time at all.
