The short answer is YES. But lets break that down a little bit.
The microbiome is the collection of microbes (including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) that live on and in our bodies. I like to refer to them collectively as the good and bad bugs. More often we are referring to the gut microbiome, or the bugs that live in our digestive system from the mouth to the colon. There are three main categories of bugs: the good guys (generally bacteria), who we want lots of, the bad guys, who we want none of, and the ones that are okay in small amounts. When working with my patients, my treatments often focus on getting rid of the bad guys and helping the good guys grow and flourish.
Through research, we know each part of our digestive tract should have more of certain bacteria and less of others. Now no one really has a “perfect” microbiome – as it is influenced by many factors such as the food we eat, our genetics, whether we were born vaginally or by C-section, the chemicals we are exposed to, medications we take and the number of times we have taken antibiotics in our lifetime.
Probiotics are good bacteria, and occasionally yeast, that we can ingest to help promote a healthy microbiome balance. They help our good guys multiple and the bad guys diminish!
1) Probiotics in Foods:
Probiotics are naturally occurring in fermented foods. Eating these foods regularly can be a great way to improve gut health. These foods include:
- Sauerkraut
- Kimchi
- Miso
- Tempeh
- Kefir
- Yogurt
However, often we need a higher, more therapeutic dose of probiotics then what our food can give us.
2) Probiotics in Supplement Form:
I've found in my practice that most people need additional probiotics then food can supply. However, like most supplements, not all probiotics are made the same. Products vary by the number of strains, the dose/number of billion, and the added ingredients. Since everyone’s needs are different, I work with my patients to help find the best-suited balance of ingredients, dose and length of treatment that is individualized to them. We also want to consider switching up our probiotics after an extended period of time to give our gut some variety.
Another question I get often is what are prebiotics?
Prebiotics are the food for our good guys. They can be taken together or separately with probiotic foods/ supplements. Prebiotics are often found in foods that are high in fibre, and include ingredients such as inulin,FOS, beta glucan, and pectin.
As always, having a diet that consists of a variety of whole foods is a great way to support a healthy gut! If you are having trouble with your bowel movements, or your overall digestion feels off,I will be taking a deep dive into gut health during my webinar called: No MoreBathroom Embarrassment: Simple Strategies & Testing Options For A Smooth Move, inside the Optimal You Community Membership! Join now for access to this webinar and more :D
Through my unique processes of a full assessment, intentional testing options and individualized and manageable treatment plans, I've helped hundreds of men and women take the next step and make small changes for dramatic shifts in their health and wellness. If you would like to discuss which tests might be right for you, book a FREE discovery call here.
Disclaimer: Any information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in place of professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care practitioner with any questions or health concerns you may have.
