Evidence shows that maintaining a healthy micro flora in the intestinal tract enhances immunity, helps in digestion and absorption, helps regulate hormone balance, protects from food-borne illness, certain allergies and more!

Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the gut by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or more beneficial bacteria in the colon, thus improving host health, i.e. “food” for the good bacteria in the gut. Good sources of prebiotics include: Oatmeal, flax, barley, and other whole grains, as well as greens and some fruits

Probiotics are live microorganisms that when taken in adequate amounts can be beneficial to our health, i.e. the “good bacteria” added to foods. Good sources of probiotics include: Yogurt, buttermilk, kefir, sauerkraut and other fermented foods (Yogurt is the most common source of probiotics, however, when consuming yogurt for probiotic benefits, the yogurt must be labeled “live active culture.” According to the National Yogurt Association, this means that there are 100 million organisms per gram).

The health of the gut relies on the balance between good and bad bacteria. Probiotics help prevent an imbalance of too many bad bacteria, and prebiotics help maintain a healthy environment for good micro flora.

Until next time: eat Well, live well.

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